Controllers for managing a plurality of stacks of electrochemical cells, and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A method for managing a plurality of stacks of electrochemical cells, where the plurality of stacks are electrically coupled in parallel in a battery. The method includes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a global operating strategy of the battery, (b) changing respective operating points of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to execute a local operating strategy, (c) changing respective operating points of one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks to maintain the global operating strategy of the battery while executing the local operating strategy, and (d) after completing execution of the local operating strategy, further changing the respective operating points of the one or more first stacks to compensate for change in the state of charge of the one or more first stacks caused by executing the local operating strategy.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/650,472, filed on Feb. 9, 2022, which is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

A battery is a device including one or more electrochemical cells thatmay be discharged to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.Batteries may be grouped into primary batteries and secondary batteries.A primary battery is single-use device which undergoes an irreversiblechange during its discharge. A secondary battery, in contrast, can berecharged by applying an electric current to the battery, and asecondary battery can therefore be discharged and recharged multipletimes. Large batteries often include two or more stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel, where each stackmay include tens, hundreds, or even thousands, of electrochemical cells.

Batteries are widely used as electrical power sources in applicationswhere a continuous connection to a fixed electric power source, such asan electric utility grid, is undesirable or infeasible. For example,batteries are widely used to power mobile information technologydevices, such as mobile telephones and tablet computers. Additionally,batteries are increasingly being used as a power source in vehicles,either as a vehicle's sole power source or to supplement a vehicle'sinternal combustion engine. It is anticipated that batteries willlargely supplant internal combustion engines in future new vehicles.

Furthermore, there is great interest in using batteries in electricalinfrastructure to store energy. For example, an electric utility maycharge a battery to store energy when there is a surplus of electricalpower, and the electric utility may subsequently discharge the batteryto withdraw the stored energy when additional electrical power isneeded. Accordingly, batteries are anticipated to be a key component inthe ongoing transition from fossil fuel electrical power sources torenewable electric power sources, as batteries can compensate for theintermittent nature of renewable electric power sources.

One popular battery is the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. Examples ofLi-ion batteries include Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO) batteries, LithiumManganese Oxide (LMO) batteries, Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide(NMC) batteries, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, Lithium NickelCobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA) batteries, and Lithium Titanate (LTO)batteries. Li-ion batteries advantageously have a high energy densityrelative to most other secondary batteries. However, Li-ion batteriescan easily be damaged by operation outside of their intended operatingrange, such as by overcharging the battery or by excessively dischargingthe battery. Additionally, the high energy density of Li-ion batteriesmakes them susceptible to catching fire or exploding in case of batterydamage or battery failure. Battery management systems, which controlbattery operation, such as battery charging and discharging, aretherefore used with Li-ion batteries (and other batteries) to helpachieve long battery life and safe battery operation.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) changing respective operatingpoints of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to executea local operating strategy, and (c) changing respective operating pointsof one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks to maintain theglobal operating strategy of the battery while executing the localoperating strategy.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the global operating strategyincludes at least one of (a) providing substantially constant power to aload, (b) providing substantially constant current to a load, and (c)providing substantially constant voltage to a load.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the global operating strategyincludes operating the battery in a standby mode.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the global operating strategyincludes receiving at least one of (a) a substantially constant powerfrom an electric power source for charging the electrochemical cells ofthe plurality of stacks, (b) a substantially constant voltage from anelectric power source for charging the electrochemical cells of theplurality of stacks, and (c) a substantially constant current from anelectric power source for charging the electrochemical cells of theplurality of stacks.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy to reduce variations in state of charge amongthe plurality of stacks.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy in response to variations in capacity among theplurality of stacks.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy to cause each stack of the plurality of stacksto reach a predetermined minimum state of charge, or a predeterminedminimum voltage, at a substantially common time.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy to cause each stack of the plurality of stacksto reach a predetermined maximum state of charge, or a predeterminedmaximum voltage, at a substantially common time.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy in response to a state of degradation of one ormore of the plurality of stacks crossing a threshold value.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy in response to state of safety of one or moreof the plurality of stacks crossing a threshold value.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy as part of a diagnostic test for one or more ofthe plurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks in an open circuit mode.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks in at least one of (a) aconstant power mode, (b) a constant current mode, and (c) a constantvoltage mode.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks at a different powerlevel, or at a different current level, than the one or more secondstacks.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the local operating strategyincludes repeatedly changing respective operating points of the one ormore first stacks.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the local operating strategyincludes causing the one or more first stacks to move toward a differentstate of charge than the one or more second stacks.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes causing the oneor more second stacks to act as a load for the one or more first stacks.

Another embodiment of the first aspect further includes causing the oneor more second stacks to act as a power source for the one or more firststacks.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, (a) changing the respectiveoperating points of the one or more first stacks to execute the localoperating strategy includes controlling one or more respective powerconverters electrically coupling each first stack to one or more powerbuses of the battery, and (b) changing the respective operating pointsof the one or more second stacks to maintain the global operatingstrategy of the battery comprises controlling one or more respectivepower converters electrically coupling each second stack to the one ormore power buses of the battery.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, (1) changing the respectiveoperating points of the one or more first stacks to execute the localoperating strategy includes at least one of (a) connecting at least oneof the one or more first stacks to a power bus of the battery and (b)disconnecting at least one of the one or more first stacks from thepower bus of the battery, and (2) changing the respective operatingpoints of the one or more second stacks to maintain the global operatingstrategy of the battery includes at least one of (a) connecting at leastone of the one or more second stacks to the power bus of the battery and(b) disconnecting at least one of the one or more second stacks from thepower bus of the battery.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, each stack of the pluralityof stacks includes a respective string of a plurality of electrochemicalcells electrically coupled in series.

In a second aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) changing respective operatingpoints of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to executea local operating strategy during a first time period, and (c) changingrespective operating points of one or more second stacks of theplurality of stacks to maintain the global operating strategy of thebattery during the first time period.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, (a) changing the respectiveoperating points of the one or more second stacks to maintain the globaloperating strategy of the battery during the first time period includeschanging the respective operating points of the one or more secondstacks from respective initial operating points to respective modifiedoperating points, and (b) the method further includes changing therespective operating points of the one or more second stacks from therespective modified operating points to the respective initial operatingpoints after the first time period, to maintain the global operatingstrategy of the battery after the first time period.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, (a) changing the respectiveoperating points of the one or more first stacks of the plurality ofstacks to execute the local operating strategy during the first timeperiod includes changing the respective operating points of the one ormore first stacks from respective initial operating points to respectivemodified operating points, and (b) the method further includes changingthe respective operating points of the one or more first stacks from therespective modified operating points to the respective initial operatingpoints after the first time period, to maintain the global operatingstrategy of the battery after the first time period.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the global operatingstrategy includes at least one of (a) providing a substantially constantpower to a load, (b) providing a substantially constant current to aload, and (c) providing a substantially constant voltage to a load.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the global operatingstrategy includes operating the battery in a standby mode.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the global operatingstrategy includes receiving at least one of constant power and constantcurrent from an electric power source for charging the electrochemicalcells of the plurality of stacks.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy to reduce variations in state of charge amongthe plurality of stacks.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy in response to variations in capacity among theplurality of stacks.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy to cause each stack of the plurality of stacksto reach a predetermined minimum state of charge, or a predeterminedminimum voltage, at a substantially common time.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy to cause each stack of the plurality of stacksto reach a predetermined maximum state of charge, or a predeterminedmaximum voltage, at a substantially common time.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy in response to a state of degradation of one ormore of the plurality of stacks crossing a threshold value.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy in response to state of safety of one or moreof the plurality of stacks crossing a threshold value.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes executing thelocal operating strategy as part of a diagnostic test for one or more ofthe plurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks in an open circuit mode.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks in at least one of (a) aconstant power mode, (b) a constant current mode, and (c) a constantvoltage mode.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks at a different powerlevel than the one or more second stacks.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the local operating strategyincludes repeatedly changing respective operating points of the one ormore first stacks.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the local operating strategyincludes causing the one or more first stacks to move toward a differentstate of charge than the one or more second stacks.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further includes causing the oneor more second stacks to act as a load for the one or more first stacks.

Another embodiment of the second aspect further comprising causing theone or more second stacks to act as a power source for the one or morefirst stacks.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, (a) changing the respectiveoperating points of the one or more first stacks to execute the localoperating strategy includes controlling a respective one or more powerconverters electrically coupling each first stack to one or more powerbuses of the battery, and (b) changing the respective operating pointsof the one or more second stacks to maintain the global operatingstrategy of the battery includes controlling one or more respectivepower converters electrically coupling each second stack to the one ormore power buses of the battery.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, each stack of the pluralityof stacks includes a respective string of a plurality of electrochemicalcells electrically coupled in series.

In a third aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) changing an operating point of a first stack of theplurality of stacks to execute a first local operating strategy and (b)changing an operating point of a second stack of the plurality of stacksto at least partially compensate for changing the operating point of thefirst stack to execute the first local operating strategy.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, changing the operating point ofthe second stack to at least partially compensate for changing theoperating point of the first stack includes changing the operating pointof the second stack to at least partially prevent change in a globaloperating point of the battery resulting from changing the operatingpoint of the first stack.

Another embodiment of the third aspect further includes leaving anoperating point of a third stack of the plurality of stacks unchangedwhile changing the operating point of the first stack to execute thefirst local operating strategy.

Another embodiment of the third aspect further includes changing anoperating point of a third stack of the plurality of stacks to furthercompensate for changing the operating point of the first stack toexecute the first local operating strategy.

Another embodiment of the third aspect further includes changing anoperating point of a third stack of the plurality of stacks according toa second local operating strategy.

Another embodiment of the third aspect further includes changing theoperating point of the second stack to at least partially compensate forchanging the operating point of the third stack according to the secondlocal operating strategy.

Another embodiment of the third aspect further includes (a) changing theoperating point of the second stack according to a second localoperating strategy and (b) changing the operating point of the firststack to at least partially compensate for changing the operating pointof the second stack according to the second local operating strategy.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, changing the operating pointof the first stack comprises changing one of (a) a magnitude of currentflowing between the first stack and a power bus of the battery and (b)magnitude of power transferred between the first stack and the power busof the battery.

In a fourth aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) changing respective operatingpoints of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to executea local operating strategy, (c) changing respective operating points ofone or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks to maintain theglobal operating strategy of the battery while executing the localoperating strategy, and (d) after completing execution of the localoperating strategy, further changing the respective operating points ofthe one or more first stacks to compensate for change in the state ofcharge of the one or more first stacks caused by executing the localoperating strategy.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the global operating strategyincludes at least one of (a) providing substantially constant power to aload, (b) providing substantially constant current to a load, and (c)providing substantially constant voltage to a load.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the global operatingstrategy includes operating the battery in a standby mode.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the global operatingstrategy includes receiving at least one of (a) a substantially constantpower from an electric power source for charging the electrochemicalcells of the plurality of stacks, (b) a substantially constant voltagefrom an electric power source for charging the electrochemical cells ofthe plurality of stacks, and (c) a substantially constant current froman electric power source for charging the electrochemical cells of theplurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the method further includesexecuting the local operating strategy as part of a diagnostic test forone or more of the plurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks in at least one of (a) aconstant power mode, (b) a constant current mode, (c) a constant voltagemode, and (d) an open circuit mode.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks at a different powerlevel, or at a different current level, than the one or more secondstacks.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes repeatedly changing respective operating points of the one ormore first stacks.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes causing the one or more first stacks to move toward a differentstate of charge than the one or more second stacks.

In a fifth aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, the global operating strategyincluding a plurality of components, (b) changing respective operatingpoints of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to executea local operating strategy, and (c) changing respective operating pointsof one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks to maintain theglobal operating strategy of the battery while executing the localoperating strategy.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the plurality of components of theglobal operating strategy include (1) a first component selected fromthe group consisting of (a) providing constant power from the battery toa load, (b) providing constant current from the battery to a load, (c)providing constant voltage from the battery to a load, (d) receivingconstant power at the battery from an electric power source, (e)receiving constant voltage at the battery from an electric power source,(f) receiving constant current at the battery from an electric powersource, (g) operating the battery in a standby mode where the batteryneither provides power to a load nor receives power from an electricpower source, (h) stabilizing voltage of an alternating current (AC)electric power grid, and (i) stabilizing frequency of an AC electricpower grid; and (2) a second component selected from the groupconsisting of (a) maintaining a constant overall rate of charge of thebattery, (b) maintaining a constant overall rate of discharge of thebattery, (c) maintaining the plurality of stacks at a common state ofcharge as the stacks charge, and (d) maintaining the plurality of stacksat a common state of charge as the stacks discharge.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the method further includesexecuting the local operating strategy to cause each stack of theplurality of stacks to reach a predetermined minimum state of charge, ora predetermined minimum voltage, at a substantially common time.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the method further includesexecuting the local operating strategy to cause each stack of theplurality of stacks to reach a predetermined maximum state of charge, ora predetermined maximum voltage, at a substantially common time.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the method further includesexecuting the local operating strategy as part of a diagnostic test forone or more of the plurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes operating the one or more first stacks at a different powerlevel, or at a different current level, than the one or more secondstacks.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes repeatedly changing respective operating points of the one ormore first stacks.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes causing the one or more first stacks to move toward a differentstate of charge than the one or more second stacks.

In a sixth aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) changing respective operatingpoints of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to executea local operating strategy with respect to one or more second stacks ofthe plurality of stacks, and (c) changing respective operating points ofone or more third stacks of the plurality of stacks to maintain theglobal operating strategy of the battery while executing the localoperating strategy.

In an embodiment of the sixth aspect, the method further includesexecuting the local operating strategy to cause each stack of theplurality of stacks to reach a predetermined minimum state of charge, ora predetermined minimum voltage, at a substantially common time.

In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the method further includesexecuting the local operating strategy to cause each stack of theplurality of stacks to reach a predetermined maximum state of charge, ora predetermined maximum voltage, at a substantially common time.

In a seventh aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (1) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (2) controlling one or more firstpower converters to change operation of one or more first stacks of theplurality of stacks to execute a first local operating strategy fordetermining one or more of (a) open circuit voltage of the one or morefirst stacks and (b) leakage current of the one or more first stacks,and (3) controlling one or more second power converters to changeoperation of one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks tocompensate for change in operation of the one or more first stackscaused by executing the first local operating strategy for determiningone or more of (a) open circuit voltage of the one or more first stacksand (b) leakage current of the one or more first stacks, and therebymaintain the global operating strategy of the battery while executingthe first local operating strategy.

In an embodiment of the seventh aspect, the global operating strategyincludes at least one of (a) providing substantially constant power to aload, (b) providing substantially constant current to a load, and (c)providing substantially constant voltage to a load.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the global operatingstrategy includes receiving at least one of (a) a substantially constantpower from an electric power source for charging the electrochemicalcells of the plurality of stacks, (b) a substantially constant voltagefrom an electric power source for charging the electrochemical cells ofthe plurality of stacks, and (c) a substantially constant current froman electric power source for charging the electrochemical cells of theplurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the method furtherincludes, after executing the first local operating strategy,controlling the one or more first power converters to change operationof the one or more first stacks to execute a second local operatingstrategy to cause each stack of the plurality of stacks to reach apredetermined minimum state of charge, or a predetermined minimumvoltage, at a substantially common time.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the method furtherincludes, after executing the first local operating strategy,controlling the one or more first power converters to change operationof the one or more first stacks to execute a second local operatingstrategy to cause each stack of the plurality of stacks to reach apredetermined maximum state of charge, or a predetermined maximumvoltage, at a substantially common time.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the method further includesexecuting the first local operating strategy as part of a diagnostictest for one or more of the plurality of stacks.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the first local operatingstrategy includes operating the one or more first stacks in an opencircuit mode.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the method further includesafter executing the first local operating strategy, executing a secondlocal operating strategy of operating the one or more first stacks in atleast one of (a) a constant power mode, (b) a constant current mode, and(c) a constant voltage mode.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the method further includesafter executing the first local operating strategy, executing a secondlocal operating strategy of operating the one or more first stacks at adifferent power level, or at a different current level, than the one ormore second stacks.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the method further includesafter executing the first local operating strategy, controlling the oneor more first power converters to execute a second local operatingstrategy of repeatedly changing operation of the one or more firststacks.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, controlling the one or morefirst power converters to change operation of the one or more firststacks of the plurality of stacks to execute the first local operatingstrategy includes intermittently operating the one or more first stacksin an open circuit mode.

In an eighth aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) controlling one or more firstpower converters to change operation of one or more first stacks of theplurality of stacks to execute a local operating strategy of causing theone or more first stacks to move toward a different state of charge thanone or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks, to perform stateof charge recalibration of the one or more first stacks, and (c)controlling one or more second power converters to change operation ofthe one or more second stacks to compensate for change in operation ofthe one or more first stacks caused by executing the local operatingstrategy of causing the one or more first stacks to move toward thedifferent state of charge than one or more second stacks of theplurality of stacks, and thereby maintain the global operating strategyof the battery while executing the local operating strategy.

In an embodiment of the eighth aspect, causing the one or more firststacks to move toward the different state of charge than the one or moresecond stacks includes causing the one or more first stacks to move outof an operating region where stack voltage is insensitive to change instack state of charge.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the method further includesafter executing the local operating strategy, controlling the one ormore first power converters to change operation of the one or more firststacks and the one or more second stacks to cause state of charge of theone or more first stacks and state of charge of the one or more secondstacks to converge toward a common value.

In a ninth aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) controlling one or more firstpower converters to change operation of one or more first stacks of theplurality of stacks to execute a local operating strategy for reducingdegradation of the one or more first stacks, and (c) controlling one ormore second power converters to change operation of one or more secondstacks of the plurality of stacks to compensate for change in operationof the one or more first stacks caused by executing the local operatingstrategy for reducing degradation of the one or more first stacks, andthereby maintain the global operating strategy of the battery whileexecuting the local operating strategy.

In an embodiment of the ninth aspect, the global operating strategyincludes operating the battery in a standby mode.

In another embodiment of the ninth aspect, executing the local operatingstrategy for reducing degradation of the one or more first stacksincludes changing a discharge rate of the one or more first stacksduring a critical state of charge range of the one or more first stacks.

In another embodiment of the ninth aspect, the method further includesafter executing the local operating strategy, (a) controlling the one ormore first power converters to change operation of the one or more firststacks and (b) controlling the one or more second power converters tochange operation of the one or more second stacks, to cause state ofcharge of the one or more first stacks and state of charge of the one ormore second stacks to converge toward a common value.

In a tenth aspect, a method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel in a batteryincludes (a) operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, (b) controlling one or more firstpower converters to change operation of one or more first stacks of theplurality of stacks to execute a local operating strategy in response toa state of safety of the one or more first stacks crossing a thresholdvalue, and (c) controlling one or more second power converters to changeoperation of one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks tocompensate for change in operation of the one or more first stackscaused by executing the local operating strategy in response to thestate of safety of the one or more first stacks crossing the thresholdvalue, and thereby maintain the global operating strategy of the batterywhile executing the local operating strategy.

In an embodiment of the tenth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes limiting one of (a) maximum state of charge of the one or morefirst stacks and (b) minimum state of charge of the one or more firststacks.

In another embodiment of the tenth aspect, the local operating strategyincludes limiting magnitude of current through the one or more firststacks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an energy storage system, according toan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a stack of theFIG. 1 energy storage system, where the stack includes a plurality ofelectrochemical cells electrically coupled in a series string.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another example embodiment of a stackof the FIG. 1 energy storage system, where the stack includes twostrings of a plurality of electrochemical cells electrically coupled inseries.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another example embodiment of a stackof the FIG. 1 energy storage system, where the stack includes aplurality of electrochemical cells electrically coupled in parallel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another example embodiment of a stackof the FIG. 1 energy storage system, where the stack includes a singleelectrochemical cell.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the FIG. 2stack further including a respective power sub-converter for eachelectrochemical cell.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a controller of theFIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a controller ofthe FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the FIG. 1energy storage system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another alternate embodiment of theFIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for managing a plurality of stacksof electrochemical cells, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an alternate embodiment of the FIG. 11method.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example operating scenario of an embodiment ofthe FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example operating scenario of an embodimentof the FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example operating scenario of an embodimentof the FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example operating scenario of an embodimentof the FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 17 illustrates another example operating scenario of an embodimentof the FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 18 illustrates another example operating scenario of an embodimentof the FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example operating scenario of an embodimentof the FIG. 1 energy storage system.

FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating overall battery state of charge versustime in the FIG. 19 example operating scenario.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As discussed above, large batteries often include two or more stacks ofelectrochemical cells, henceforth referred to as “stacks” for brevity,electrically coupled in parallel. Such parallel electrical coupling ofstacks is used, for example, to obtain a higher current capabilityand/or energy storage capacity than can be obtained from a single stack.Multiple stacks may be directly connected in parallel within a battery,although this configuration does not permit individual control ofstacks. Alternately, multiple stacks may be electrically coupled inparallel within a battery via one or more power converters, and thisconfiguration enables individual control of stacks or individual controlof groups of stacks.

Disclosed herein are controllers and methods for managing a plurality ofstacks of electrochemical cells, where the stacks are electricallycoupled in parallel within a battery. These new controllers and methodssignificantly advance the state of the art of battery management. Forexample, certain embodiments enable a battery to execute a localoperating strategy for a portion of the battery while simultaneouslyexecuting a global operating strategy for the entire battery. Suchability to simultaneously execute local and global operating strategiesmay achieve significant advantages. For example, in some embodiments, adiagnostic test may be performed on one or more of stacks of a battery,maintenance may be performed on one or more stacks of the battery, acorrective action may be performed on one or more stacks of the battery,a safety action may be performed on one or more stacks of the battery,and/or an optimization action may be performed on one or more stacks ofthe battery, without interfering with global operation of the battery,as discussed below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an energy storage system 100 includinga battery 102, a controller 104, and a source/load 106, where controller104 is one embodiment of the new controllers disclosed herein. Battery102 includes a plurality of stacks 108, a plurality of power converters110, a first power bus 112, a second power bus 114, a first batteryterminal 116, and a second battery terminal 118. In this document,specific instances of an item may be referred to by use of a numeral inparentheses (e.g., stack 108(1)) while numerals without parenthesesrefer to any such item (e.g., stacks 108). Although FIG. 1 illustratesbattery 102 as including four stacks 108, the number of stacks 108 inbattery 102 may vary as long as battery 102 includes at least two stacks108.

Each stack 108 includes one or more electrochemical cells (not shown inFIG. 1 ) electrically coupled between a first terminal 120 of the stackand a second terminal 122 of the stack. Each pair of first and secondterminals 120 and 122 of a given stack 108 provides electrical access tothe stack. In some embodiments, each first terminal 120 is a negativestack terminal, and each second terminal 122 is a positive stackterminal. Each stack 108 has a respective voltage vs across the stack,i.e., a voltage between respective terminals 120 and 122 of the stack.Specifically, stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) have respectivevoltages v_(s1), v_(s2), v_(s3), and v_(s4) across the stacks.Additionally, each stack 108 has a respective current is flowing throughthe stack, i.e., a current flowing between terminals 120 and 122 of thestack. In particular, stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) haverespective currents i_(s1), i_(s2), i_(s3), and i_(s4) flowing throughthe stacks. Each stack 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) additionallyhas a respective output power p_(s1), p_(s2), p_(s3), and p_(s4), whichis equal to product of the voltage vs across the stack and the currentis through the stack. A stack 108 output power p_(s) is positive if thestack 108 is providing electrical power to an external device, and astack 108 output power p_(s) is negative if the stack 108 is receivingelectrical power from an external device.

Each stack 108 need not have the same configuration. For example, insome embodiments, two or more stacks 108 include a different numberand/or a different type of constituent electrochemical cells. As anotherexample, in certain embodiments, two or more stacks 108 have differentrespective internal electrical topologies. FIGS. 2-6 , discussed below,illustrate several example embodiments of stacks 108. It is understood,however, that stacks 108 are not limited to these example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a stack 200, which is one exampleembodiment of a stack 108 instance. Stack 200 includes N electrochemicalcells 202 electrically coupled in a series string between first terminal120 and second terminal 122, where N is an integer greater than one. Incertain embodiments, each electrochemical cell 202 is a Lithium-ionelectrochemical cell. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a stack 300,which is another example embodiment of a stack 108 instance. Stack 300includes a first string 302 and a second string 304 electrically coupledin parallel within stack 300. String 302 includes M electrochemicalcells 306 electrically coupled in series between first terminal 120 andsecond terminal 122, and string 304 includes N electrochemical cells 308electrically coupled in series between first terminal 120 and secondterminal 122. Each of M and N is an integer greater than one, and whilenot required, it is anticipated that N will normally be equal to M. Incertain embodiments, each electrochemical cell 306 and 308 is aLithium-ion electrochemical cell or a group of parallel-connectedLithium-ion electrochemical cells. Stack 300 could be modified toinclude one or more additional strings of series-coupled electrochemicalcells. In certain embodiments, stack 300 includes a large number ofelectrochemical cells, such as hundreds or thousands of electrochemicalcells. Additionally, in certain embodiments of energy storage system 100(FIG. 1 ), each stack 108 is embodied by a respective stack 300 instanceconfigured as a container of electrochemical cells, such that battery102 includes a large number of electrochemical cells.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a stack 400, which is another exampleembodiment of a stack 108 instance. Stack 400 includes N electrochemicalcells 402 electrically coupled in parallel between first terminal 120and second terminal 122, where N is an integer greater than one. Incertain embodiments, each electrochemical cell 402 is a Lithium-ionelectrochemical cell. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a stack 500,which is yet another example embodiment of a stack 108 instance. Stack500 includes a single electrochemical cell 502 electrically coupledbetween first terminal 120 and second terminal 122. In some embodiments,electrochemical cell 502 is a Lithium-ion electrochemical cell or agroup of parallel-connected Lithium-ion electrochemical cells.

Stacks 108 can include elements in addition to electrochemical cells.For example, any of stacks 200, 300, 400, or 500 could be modified toinclude one or more power sub-converters, such as to buffer one or moreelectrochemical cells of the stack from one or more otherelectrochemical cells of the stack. For instance, FIG. 6 is a schematicdiagram of a stack 600, which is an alternate embodiment of stack 200where each electrochemical cell 202 of the stack is buffered from eachother electrochemical cell 202 of the stack by a respective powersub-converter 602. Each power sub-converter 602 includes cell ports 604and 606 electrically coupled to a respective electrochemical cell 202,and each power sub-converter 602 further includes stack ports 608 and610. Power sub-converters 602 are electrically coupled in series viabetween first terminal 120 and second terminal 122 via stack ports 608and 610. Each power sub-converter 602 is configured to convert arespective cell voltage v_(cell) across its cell ports 604 and 606 to arespective converter voltage v_(conv) across its stack ports 608 and610, or vice versa. Additionally, each power sub-converter 602 isconfigured to convert a respective cell current i_(cell) flowing betweenits cell ports 604 and 606 to a stack current i_(stack) flowing betweenits stack ports 608 and 610, or vice versa. In some embodiments, eachpower sub-converter 602 includes a direct-current-to-direct-current(DC-to-DC) converter.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , each power converter 110 includes a firststack port 10, a second stack port 12, a first bus port 14, and a secondbus port 16. Stacks 108 are electrically coupled in parallel in battery102 via power converters 110, first power bus 112, and second power bus114. Specifically, the first terminal 120 of each stack 108 iselectrically coupled to the first stack port 10 of the respective powerconverter 110 of the stack 108, and the second terminal 122 of eachstack 108 is electrically coupled to the second stack port 12 of therespective power converter 110 of the stack 108. First power bus 112electrically couples each first bus port 14 to first battery terminal116, and second power bus 114 electrically couples each second bus port16 to second battery terminal 118. First battery terminal 116 and secondbattery terminal 118 provide an electrical interface to battery 102.Battery 102 has a voltage vbat across battery terminals 118 and 116, andbattery 102 has a current i_(bat) flowing between battery terminals 118and 116 via source/load 106.

Stack 108 are buffered from each other by power converters 110.Consequently, respective voltages v_(s1), v_(s2), v_(s3), and v_(s4)across stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) need not be equal tovoltage vbat across battery terminals 116 and 118, even though stacks108 are electrically coupled in parallel within battery 102 via theirrespective power converters 110. Additionally, respective voltagesv_(s1), v_(s2), v_(s3), and v_(s4) across stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3),and 108(4) need not be equal to each other, even though stacks 108 areelectrically coupled in parallel within battery 102 via their respectivepower converters 110. Each power converter 110 is configured toelectrically interface its respective stack 108 with first and secondpower buses 112 and 114 by converting a voltage vs across the stack tobattery voltage vbat, or vice versa. Additionally, each power converter110 is configured to electrically interface its respective stack 108with first and second power buses 112 and 114 by converting a currenti_(s) flowing through the stack to a current i_(con), or vice versa.

Respective currents i_(con1), i_(con2), i_(con3), and i_(con4) andflowing from power converters 110(1), 110(2), 110(3), and 110(4) tosecond power bus 114 sum to total battery current i_(bat), and eachstack 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) accordingly provides arespective current contribution i_(con1), i_(con2), i_(con3), andi_(con4) to total battery current i_(bat). Each stack 108(1), 108(2),108(3), and 108(4) also contributes a respective power p_(con1),p_(con2), p_(con3), and p_(con4) to source/load 106, and battery 102provides a power p_(bat) to source/load 106. Power p_(bat) is equal tothe sum of stack power contributions p_(con1), p_(con2), p_(con3), andp_(con4). Additionally, each stack power contribution p_(con1),p_(con2), p_(con3), and p_(con4) is equal to it respective stack outputpower p_(s1), p_(s2), p_(s3), and p_(s4) neglecting losses in powerconverters 110 and in other elements external to stacks 108. A stack 108power contribution p_(s) is positive if the stack 108 is providingelectrical power to an external device, and a stack 108 powercontribution p_(s) is negative if the stack 108 is receiving electricalpower from an external device. Similarly, power p_(bat) is positive ifbattery 102 is supplying electrical power to source/load 106, and powerp_(bat) is negative if battery 102 is receiving electrical power fromsource/load 106.

In some embodiments, each power converter 110 is a DC-to-DC converter,such that (1) voltages v_(s) and v_(bat) are direct current (DC)voltages and (2) currents i_(s), i_(con), and i_(bat) are DC currents.In some other embodiments, each power converter 110 is adirect-current-to-alternating-current (DC-to-AC) converter, such that(1) voltages v_(s) are DC voltages, (2) currents i_(s) are DC currents,(3) voltage vbat is an alternating current (AC) voltage, and (4)currents i_(con) and i_(bat) are AC currents. In some embodiments, eachpower converter 110 includes one or more of a buck converter, a boostconverter, a buck-boost converter, a buck and boost converter, a flybackconverter, a forward converter, a half-bridge converter, a full-bridgeconverter, a cúk converter, an inverter, a resonant converter, aswitched-capacitor converter, and a linear regulator. In certainembodiments, power converters 110 have a non-isolated topology, while incertain other embodiments, power converters 110 have an isolatedtopology.

In particular embodiments, such as in embodiments where power converters110 have a non-isolated topology, two or more of ports 10, 12, 14, 16 ofeach power converter 110 may be electrically coupled together. Forexample, in some embodiments, first stack port 10 and first bus port 14may be electrically coupled together in each power converter 110, suchthat first stack port 10 and first bus port 14 are effectively mergedinto a single port. Additionally, one or more of ports 10, 12, 14, 16may be omitted from power converters 110 without departing from thescope hereof. For example, in certain alternate embodiments, first stackports 10 are omitted from power converters 110, and first terminals 120of stacks 108 are directly electrically coupled to first power bus 112instead of being electrically coupled to first stack ports 10.

One or more power converters 110 could include two or more powersub-converters, and each sub-converter need not be at a common physicaland/or topological location in battery 102. For example, in someembodiments, each power converter 110 includes (1) a first powersub-converter configured to control charging of its respective stack 108and (2) a second power sub-converter configured to control dischargingof its respective stack 108. As another example, in particularembodiments, each power converter 110 includes a first powersub-converter that is a DC-to-DC sub-converter and a second powersub-converter that is a DC-to-AC sub-converter. In these embodiments,the DC-to-DC sub-converter is electrically coupled between a respectivestack 108 and the DC-to-AC sub-converter, and the DC-to-AC sub-converteris electrically coupled between the DC-to-DC sub-converter and first andsecond power buses 112 and 114. The DC-to-DC sub-converter may beconfigured to boost magnitude of voltage v_(s) across its respectivestack 108 to a value that is sufficiently high for the DC-to-ACsub-converter to generate a required AC voltage across battery terminals116 and 118. For instance, in particular embodiments, the DC-to-DCsub-converter is configured to boost magnitude of voltage v_(s) acrossits respective stack 108 to value that is at least the square root oftwo (√{square root over (2)}) times a root-mean-square (RMS) value of ACvoltage across battery terminals 116 and 118.

Each power converter 110 is configured to communicate with controller104 via respective communication signals c. Specifically, powerconverters 110(1), 110(2), 110(3), and 110(4) are configured tocommunicate with controller 104 via respective communication signals c₁,c₂, c₃, and c₄. Communication signals c include, for example, one ormore of (a) commands from controller 104 to control power converters110, (b) feedback information from power converters 110 to controller104, and (c) feedback information from one or more optional batterymanagement systems of stacks 108 (not shown) to controller 104.Communication links between controller 104 and power converters 110 arenot shown. In some embodiments, communication signals c are transmittedbetween controller 104 and power converters 110 via one or moreelectrical communication links, one or more optical communication links,and/or one or more wireless communication links. In certain embodiments,controller 104 is configured to individually control operation of eachstack 108 by controlling its respective power converter 110 viacommunication signals c, thereby enabling controller 104 to helpmaximize throughput, lifetime, and/or safety of electrochemical cellswithin stacks 108.

Source/load 106 is electrically coupled to battery 102 via batteryterminals 116 and 118. Source/load 106 can operate as either an electricpower source or as a load. Source/load 106 provides electric power tobattery 102 when source/load 106 operates as an electric power source,and source/load 106 consumes electric power from battery 102 whensource/load 106 operates as a load. Although source/load 106 issymbolically shown as a single element, source/load 106 could include aplurality of elements, such as a source and a load, a plurality ofsources, and/or a plurality of loads. Additionally, source/load 106 mayinclude interface devices, such as DC-to-AC converters, DC-to-DCconverters, and/or transformers, configured to electrically couplebattery 102 with an energy source and/or an energy sink. In someembodiments, source/load 106 includes one or more of an AC electricpower system (e.g., an AC electric power grid), a DC electric powersystem, an electromechanical device, and a photovoltaic device, whichare optionally electrically coupled to battery 102 via a DC-to-ACconverter of source/load 106, a DC-to-DC converter of source/load 106,and/or a transformer of source/load 106. However, source/load 106 cantake other forms without departing from the scope hereof.

Although controller 104 is illustrated as being a discrete element,controller 104 could be at least partially incorporated in battery 102.Additionally, controller 104 could be formed of multiple constituentelements which need not be co-packaged or even disposed at a commonlocation. For example, in certain embodiments, at least some elements ofcontroller 104 are embodied by a distributed computing system, e.g., a“cloud” computing system, such as discussed below with respect to FIG. 8. As another example, in some embodiments, elements of controller 104are distributed among one or more stack controllers (not shown) ofbattery 102 and a central host controller (not shown) of battery 102and/or energy storage system 100.

FIGS. 7 and 8 , discussed below, illustrate two example embodiments ofcontroller 104. It is understood, however, that controller 104 is notlimited to these example embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a controller 700, which is one possibleembodiment of controller 104 of FIG. 1 . Controller 700 includes aprocessor 702, a memory 704, and interface circuitry 706. Processor 702is communicatively coupled to each of memory 704 and interface circuitry706, and processor 702 is configured to execute instructions 708, e.g.,in the form of software and/or firmware, stored in memory 704, to atleast partially control operation of power converters 110 viacommunication signals c. In some embodiments, controller 700 isconfigured to control operation of power converters 110 at leastpartially based on information generated within energy storage system110 and/or information provided by an external source, such as a batterydata processing engine (not shown) remote from energy storage system100. The battery data processing engine, for example, providesinstructions to processor 702 to control at least some aspects of energystorage system 100 based on prior experience with other energy storagesystems having one or more common traits with energy storage system 100.

Interface circuitry 706 interfaces processor 702 with one or morecommunication mediums (not shown) for transmitting communication signalsc between controller 700 and power converters 110. In some embodiments,interface circuitry 706 includes one or more electrical transceivers,optical transceivers, and/or wireless transceivers. Controller 700 couldinclude one or more additional processors and/or memories, and theelements of controller 700 need not be co-packaged or even disposed at acommon location. Additionally, controller 700 could be modified toreplace processor 702 and memory 704 with analog and/or digital circuitywhich performs the same functions as processor 702 and memory 704.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a controller 800, which is anotherpossible embodiment of controller 104 of FIG. 1 . Controller 800includes a system processor 802, a system memory 804, and interfacecircuitry 806 disposed, at, near, or within, battery 102. Controller 800further includes a remote processor 810 and a remote memory 812 that areremote from battery 102. Although each of remote processor 810 andremote memory 812 is depicted as a single element, one or more of remoteprocessor 810 and remote memory 812 may include multiple sub-elementswhich need not be disposed at a common location. For example, in someembodiments, remote processor 810 and remote memory 812 are implementedin a distributed computing environment. Networks/Internet 814communicatively couple system processor 802 and remote processor 810,and networks/Internet 814 need not be part of controller 800.Additionally, remote processor 810 and remote memory 812 may be sharedby one or more batteries and/or energy storage systems in addition tobattery 102 and energy storage system 100, such that remote processor810 and remote memory 812 are effectively part of a controller of one ormore additional batteries and/or energy storage systems.

System processor 802 is communicatively coupled to each of system memory804 and interface circuitry 806, and system processor 802 is configuredto execute instructions 808, e.g., in the form of software and/orfirmware, stored in system memory 804, to generate commands to controlpower converters 110 via communication signals c, at least partially inresponse to (1) information generated within energy storage system 100,(2) instructions/data 816 received from remote processor 810, and/or (3)instructions/data received from other sources (not shown), such asinstructions/data for remotely controlling operation of energy storagesystem 100. Interface circuitry 806 is analogous to interface circuitry706 of FIG. 7 .

Remote processor 810 is configured to execute remote instructions 818,in the form of software and/or firmware, stored in remote memory 812 toperform one or more of the following functions. In some embodiments,remote processor 810 is configured to receive system data 820 fromsystem processor 802, where system data 820 represents one or moreaspects of energy storage system 100. System processor 802 is configuredto determine system data 820, for example, at least partially based oninformation generated within energy storage system 100. By way ofexample and not limitation, system data 820 may include battery 102temperature, temperature of one or more stacks 108, temperature of oneor more electrochemical cells within stacks 108, battery voltage vbat,battery current i_(bat), voltage v_(s) of one or more stacks 108,current i_(s) flowing through one or more stacks 108, voltage of one ormore electrochemical cells within stacks 108, current flowing throughone or more electrochemical cells within stacks 108, the type ofelectrochemical cells within one or more stacks 108, the configurationof one or more stacks 108, manufacturing information for one or morestacks 108 and/or for electrochemical cells therein, maintenance historyof one or more stacks 108 and/or electrochemical cells therein, etc.System data 820 may alternately or additionally include information thatis derived by system processor 802, or information that algorithmicallydetermined by system processor 802, such as one or more of stack 108state of charge, stack 108 state of health, stack 108 state ofdegradation, stack 108 state of safety, stack 108 estimated remaininguseful life, stack 108 usage history, etc. System data 820 is optionallyencrypted, compressed, and/or preprocessed (e.g., identifying variousdegradation mechanisms and/or hazardous operating conditions) beforebeing sent from system processor 802 to remote processor 810.

In some embodiments, remote processor 810 is configured to perform oneor more processing tasks in place of system processor 802, or to performone or more processing tasks in conjunction with system processor 802,such as in embodiments where remote processor 810 has significantlygreater processing capability than system processor 802. Remoteprocessor 810 may also be configured to help manage energy storagesystem 100 at least partially based on information generated external toenergy storage system 100.

For example, in particular embodiments, remote processor 810 comparessystem data 820 to aggregate data 822 to find common traits between thetwo data sets. Aggregate data 822 includes data from multiple energystorage systems, e.g., from tens, hundreds, or even thousands of energystorage systems. Remote processor 810 optionally adds information itreceives from energy storage systems to aggregate data 822, such thataggregate data 822 grows over time. Examples of common traits betweensystem data 820 and aggregate data 822 include, but are not limited to,electrochemical cells operating under the same or similar conditions,electrochemical cells with the same or similar operation duration,electrochemical cells with the same or similar energy throughput,electrochemical cells from a common manufacturing lot, electrochemicalcells with the same or similar installation, electrochemical cellsstored under the same or similar conditions, electrochemical cells withthe same or similar maintenance history, electrochemical cells withsimilar arc fault signatures, electrochemical cells having the same orsimilar degradation characteristics or mechanisms (e.g., the same orsimilar lithium inventory loss, lithium plating, loss of active sitematerial, and/or electrode impedance build up), electrochemical cellshaving the same or similar safety characteristics (e.g., the same orsimilar failure mechanisms such as dendritic shorts or cell leakage),electrochemical cells having the same or similar known or observedmanufacturing defects, etc. In some embodiments, remote processor 810uses self-learning methodologies (e.g., machine-learning, deep-learning,or even multi-modal machine learning) to identify common traits betweensystem data 820 and aggregate data 822.

Remote processor 810 may subsequently identify data that is applicableto energy storage system 100 from the common traits between system data820 and aggregate data 822. More specifically, remote processor 810 mayidentify data in aggregate data 822 that is associated with energystorage systems having common traits with energy storage system 100, asbeing applicable data. For example, remote processor 810 may identifydata from an energy storage system having the same type ofelectrochemical cells as energy storage system 100 as being applicabledata. As another example, remote processor 810 may identify data from anenergy storage system operating under similar conditions to energystorage system 100 as being applicable data. The applicable data may beeither indirectly related or directly related to data associated withenergy storage systems having common traits with energy storage system100. In some embodiments, remote processor 810 uses self-learningmethodologies (e.g., machine-learning, deep-learning, or evenmulti-modal machine learning) to identify the applicable data fromaggregate data 822.

Remote processor 810 may determine instructions/data 816 from theapplicable data. Instructions/data 816 may include instructions forenergy storage system 100 based on the applicable data, and/orinstructions/data 816 may include the applicable data itself. Remoteprocessor 810 sends instructions/data 816 to system processor 802.Energy storage system 100 optionally uses instructions/data 816 tomanage one or more aspects of energy storage system 100. For example, inparticular embodiments, controller 800 uses instructions/data 816 tobuild or refine models of electrochemical cells within stacks 108, suchas for controlling charging/discharging of stacks 108 or for identifyingand/or mitigating degradation or failure mechanisms of electrochemicalcells within stacks 108.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , battery 102 may be modified withoutdeparting from the scope hereof as long as battery 102 includes at leasttwo stacks 108 that are electrically coupled in parallel via two or morepower converters controllable by controller 104. FIGS. 9 and 10 ,discussed below, illustrate a couple of alternate embodiments of battery102. It is understood, however, that battery 102 may have additionalalternate configurations without departing from the scope hereof

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an energy storage system 900, which isan alternate embodiment of energy storage system 100 of FIG. 1 wherebattery 102 is a replaced with a battery 902. Battery 902 is likebattery 102 except that pairs of stacks 108 share a common powerconverter 110. Specifically, stacks 108(1) and 108(2) are collectivelyinterfaced to first and second power buses 112 and 114 via powerconverter 110(1), and stacks 108(3) and 108(4) are collectivelyinterfaced to first and second power buses 112 and 114 via powerconverter 110(2). Consequently, stacks 108(1) and 108(2) must becontrolled in unison, and stacks 108(3) and 108(4) must also becontrolled in unison. However, controller 104 may control pair of stacks108(1) and 108(2) independently of pair of stacks 108(3) and 108(4).Stacks 108(1) and 108(2) have a common voltage v_(s1) across these twostacks, and stacks 108(3) and 108(4) have a common voltage v_(s2) acrossthese two stacks. Current i_(s1) collectively flows from stacks 108(1)and 108(2) to power converter 110(1), and current i_(s2) collectivelyflows from stacks 108(3) and 108(4) to power converter 110(2).Accordingly, stacks 108(1) and 108(2) collectively contribute to currenthat via current i_(con1), and stacks 108(3) and 108(4) collectivelycontribute to current i_(bat) via current i_(con2).

Power converters 110 of energy storage system 900 operate in the samemanner as power converters 110 of energy storage system 100 except thateach power converter 110 of energy storage system 900 serves two stacks108, instead of serving a single stack 108. For example, power converter110(1) of energy system 900 converts voltage vs/ across stacks 108(1)and 108(2) to battery voltage vbat, or vice versa. As another example,power converter 110(1) of energy system 900 converts current i_(s1)collectively flowing through both of stacks 108(1) and 108(2) to currenti_(con1), or vice versa. Battery 902 could be modified so that one ormore power converters 110 serve three or more respective stacks 108instead of two respective stacks 108. Additionally, battery 902 could bemodified so that at least two power converters 110 serve differentnumbers of respective stacks 108.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , in some alternate embodiments, one or morepower converters 110 do not have voltage or current conversioncapability but are nevertheless capable of selectively connecting ordisconnecting a respective stack 108 from first power bus 112 and/orsecond power bus 114. In these alternate embodiments, each powerconverter 110 includes, for example, one or more switching devicesconfigured to selectively connect or disconnect its respective stack 108from first power bus 112 and/or second power bus 114. For example, FIG.10 is a schematic diagram of an energy storage system 1000, which is analternate embodiment of energy storage system 100 of FIG. 1 wherebattery 102 is a replaced with a battery 1002. Battery 1002 is likebattery 102, except that power converters 110 are embodied by disconnectswitches 1010 controlled via communication signals c. Each disconnectswitch 1010 is electrically coupled between the second terminal 122 of arespective stack 108 and second power bus 114. First terminals 120 ofstacks 108 are directly electrically coupled to first power bus 112. Foreach stack 108, its respective current i_(con) is equal to itsrespective current is when its respective disconnect switch 1010 isclosed, and its respective currents i_(con) and i_(s) are equal to zerowhen its respective disconnect switch 1010 is open.

Global Operating Strategies

Controller 104 is configured to control energy storage systems 100, 900,and 1000 to execute a global operating strategy for batteries 102, 902,and 1002, respectively. A global operating strategy for a battery is anoperating strategy for the entire battery. A global operating strategymay be static or dynamic. Examples of global operating strategies forbatteries 102, 902, and 1002 include, but are not limited to, (1)providing substantially constant power to source/load 106, (2) providingsubstantially constant current i_(bat) to source/load 106, (3) providingsubstantially constant voltage vbat to source/load 106, (4) receivingsubstantially constant power from source/load 106 to chargeelectrochemical cells of stacks 108, (5) receiving substantiallyconstant voltage from source/load 106 to charge electrochemical cells ofstacks 108, (6) receiving substantially constant current fromsource/load 106 to charge electrochemical cells of stacks 108, (7)operating the battery in a standby mode where the battery neitherprovides power to source/load 106 nor receives power from source/load106, (8) maintaining a constant overall state of charge of the battery,(9) maintaining a constant overall rate of charge, or rate of discharge,of the battery, (10) maintaining stacks 108 at substantially the samestate of charge as the stacks charge or discharge, (11) stabilizingoutput power of an external power generation system, such as aphotovoltaic power generation system, by absorbing excess power from thepower generation system or by providing power to compensate for ashortage in power produced by the power generation system, and (12)stabilizing frequency and/or voltage of an AC power grid by absorbingpower from the AC power grid or providing power to the AC power grid. Itshould be noted that a global operating strategy may include more thanone component. For example, a global operating strategy may includemaintaining a substantially constant state of charge among stacks 108while providing a constant power to source/load 106 or while receiving aconstant power from source/load 106. As another example, a globaloperating strategy may include maintaining a substantially constantstate of charge among stacks 108 while providing a constant currenti_(bat) to source/load 106.

In this document, “substantially” means within plus or minus tenpercent. For example, a number X is substantially equal to a number Y if(0.9 Y)≤X≤(1.1 Y). Additionally, a value in this document is“substantially constant” if the value remains within plus or minus tenpercent of a reference value. For example, a value Z is substantiallyconstant if (0.9 R)≤Z≤(1.1 R), where R is a reference value for Z.Reference value R is, for example, a target value of Z, an intendedvalue of Z, an average value of Z, a median value of Z, etc.

Local Operating Strategies

Controller 104 is further configured to control energy storage systems100, 900, and 1000 to execute a local operating strategy for batteries102, 902, and 1002, respectively. A local operating strategy is astrategy for operating a specific subset of stacks 108 of a battery 102,902, or 1002, where the subset does not include all stacks 108 of thebattery. A local operating strategy may be static or dynamic. Examplesof local operating strategies for batteries 102, 902, and 1002 include,but are not limited to, (1) operating one or more stacks 108 of thebattery in an open circuit mode, (2) operating one or more stacks 108 ofthe battery in a constant power mode, (3) operating one or more stacks108 of the battery in a constant current mode, (4) operating one or morestacks 108 of the battery in a constant voltage mode, (5) operating oneor more stacks 108 of the battery at a different power level than one ormore other stacks 108 of the battery, (6) operating one or more stacks108 of the battery at a different charge or discharge rate than one ormore other stacks 108 of the battery, (7) repeatedly changing anoperating point of one or more stacks 108 of the battery, and (8)causing one or more stacks 108 of the battery to move toward a differentstate of charge than one or more other stacks 108 of the battery. Insome embodiments, controller 104 is configured to control energy storagesystems 100, 900, and 1000 to execute a local operating strategy forbatteries 102, 902, and 1002, respectively, according to a predeterminedschedule (e.g., periodically) or on-demand (e.g., in response to signalto perform a diagnostic test on one or more stacks 108).

An open circuit operating mode of a stack 108 is a mode where the stackis at least partially electrically decoupled from other stacks 108 of abattery. For example, stack 108(1) of battery 102 operates in an opencircuit mode if stack 108(1) is electrically decoupled from stacks108(2)-108(4) of battery 102. Controller 104 may cause stack 108(1) ofbattery 102 to operate in an open circuit mode, for example, by causingpower converter 110(1) to electrically isolate stack 108(1) from firstpower bus 112 and/or second power bus 114, such as by operating powerconverter 110(1) in a manner which creates a high impedance between (a)stack 108(1) and (b) first power bus 112 and/or second power bus 114, orby opening a disconnect switch (e.g., a disconnect switch 1010 of FIG.10 ) directly or indirectly electrically coupling stack 108(1) to firstpower bus 112 or second power bus 114.

A constant power operating mode of a stack 108 is an operating modewhere power provided by the stack, or power received by the stack, issubstantially constant. For example, controller 104 may cause stack108(1) of battery 102 to operate in a constant power mode by controllingpower converter 110(1) such that a product of voltage v_(s1) and currenti_(s1) is substantially constant.

A constant current operating mode of a stack 108 is an operating modewhere magnitude of current flowing through the stack is substantiallyconstant. For example, controller 104 may cause stack 108(1) of battery102 to operate in a constant current mode by controlling power converter110(1) such that magnitude of current i_(s1) is substantially constant.A constant voltage mode of a stack 108 is an operating mode wheremagnitude of voltage across the stack is substantially constant. Forexample, controller 104 may cause stack 108(1) of battery 102 to operatein a constant voltage mode by controlling power converter 110(1) suchthat magnitude of voltage v_(s1) is substantially constant.

Controller 104 may cause one or more stacks 108 to operate at adifferent power level than one or more other stacks 108 by controllingone or more power converters electrically coupled to the stacks. Forexample, controller 104 may cause stack 108(1) of battery 102 to operateat a different power level than stack 108(2) of battery 102 bycontrolling power converter 110(1) such that a product of v_(s1) andi_(s1) for stack 108(1) is different from a product of v_(s2) and i_(s2)for stack 108(2).

Controller 104 may operate one or more stacks 108 at a different rate ofcharge or discharge than one or more other stacks 108 by controlling oneor more power converters electrically coupled to the stacks. Forexample, controller 104 may cause stack 108(1) of battery 102 to operateat a lower discharge rate than stacks 108(2)-108(4) of battery 102 bycontrolling power converter 110(1) to decrease magnitude of currenti_(s1) flowing through stack 108(1) relative to currents i_(s2), i_(s3),and i_(s4) flowing through stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4),respectively. As another example, controller 104 may cause stack 108(1)of battery 102 to operate at a lower discharge rate than stacks108(2)-108(4) of battery 102 by controlling power converters 110(2),110(3), and 110(4) to increase magnitude of currents i_(s2), i_(s3), andi_(s4) flowing through stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), respectively,relative to current i_(s1) flowing through stack 108(1).

Controller 104 may repeatedly change an operating point of one or morestacks 108 by controlling one or more power converters electricallycoupled to the stacks 108. For example, controller 104 may repeatedlychange an operating point of stack 108(4) of battery 102 by causingpower converter 110(4) to repeatedly switch between a constant voltagemode and a constant current mode. As another example, controller 104 mayrepeatedly change an operating point of stack 108(4) to cause stackcurrent i_(s4) to repeatedly switch between two or more differentvalues.

Controller 104 may cause one or more stacks 108 to move toward adifferent state of charge than one or more other stacks 108 bycontrolling one or more power converters electrically coupled to thestacks 108. For example, controller 104 may cause stack 108(3) ofbattery 102 to move toward a different state of charge than stacks108(1), 108(2), and 108(4) of battery 102 by controlling power converter110(3) to either (1) increase or decrease rate of discharge of stack108(3) relative to rate of discharge of each of stacks 108(1), 108(2),and 108(4), or (2) increase or decrease rate of charge of stack 108(3)relative to rate of charge of each of stacks 108(1), 108(2), and 108(4).As another example, controller 104 may cause stack 108(3) of battery 102to move toward a different state of charge than stacks 108(1), 108(2),and 108(4) of battery 102 by controlling power converters 110(1),110(2), and 110(4) to either (1) increase or decrease rate of dischargeof each of stack 108(1), 108(2), and 108(4) relative to rate ofdischarge of stack 108(3), or (2) increase or decrease rate of charge ofstacks 108(1), 108(2) and 108(4) relative to rate of charge of stack108(3).

Controller 104 may execute a local operating strategy, for example, toachieve an objective with respect to one or more stacks 108 or toaddress an anomaly associated with one or more stacks 108. Discussedbelow with respect to Examples A1-A9 are several example scenarios wherecontroller 104 executes a local operating strategy. It is understood,though, that controller 104 may be configured to execute additionaland/or alternative local operating strategies, as well as to execute alocal operating strategy for reasons different than those discussedbelow, without departing from the scope hereof.

Example A1 Electrochemical Cell Diagnostic Test

Some embodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute a localoperating strategy to perform an in-situ diagnostic test onelectrochemical cells of a stack 108 while a battery including the stack108 is operating in accordance with a global strategy servicingsource/load 106. Such diagnostic test may include, for example, (a)executing one or more local operating strategies to cause the stack 108to operate at one or more operating points required to perform thediagnostic test, (b) measuring one or more parameters of the stack 108while executing the one or more local operating strategies, and (c)analyzing one or more of the measured parameters to determine one ormore characteristics of the electrochemical cells of the stack 108.Controller 104 may execute one or more local operating strategies, forexample, to perturb electrochemical cells of the stack 108 and/or toenable certain measurements to be made to the stack 108, as required bythe diagnostic test. Examples of possible characteristics determined bythe diagnostic test include, but are not limited to, electrochemicalcell impedance, electrochemical cell leakage current, amount of activematerial in anodes or cathodes of electrochemical cells, andelectrochemical cell open circuit voltage, as well as relatedcharacteristics, such as electrochemical cell state of health,electrochemical cell state of degradation, and electrochemical cellstate of safety.

Example A2 Reduce State of Charge Variations

It is generally desirable that stacks 108 have substantially the samestate of charge at any given time. Accordingly, some embodiments ofcontroller 104 are configured to execute a local operating strategy toreduce variations in state of charge among stacks 108, such as inresponse to difference in state of charge between stacks crossing athreshold value. For example, assume that stack 108(1) of battery 102 isat a higher state of charge than stacks 108(2)-108(4) of battery 102.Controller 104 could be configured to execute a local operating strategyof decreasing rate of charge of stack 108(1) relative to rate of chargeof stacks 108(2)-108(4) of battery 102, to reduce variation in state ofcharge of among stacks 108. Controller 104 could alternately beconfigured to execute a local operating strategy increase rate ofdischarge of stack 108(1) relative to rate of discharge of stacks108(2)-108(4) of battery 102, to reduce variation in state of charge ofamong stacks 108. Additionally, controller 104 could be configured toexecute a local operating strategy to increase rate of charge of stacks108(2)-108(4) of battery 102 relative to rate of charge of stack 108(1)of battery 102, to reduce variation in state of charge of among stacks108. Furthermore, controller 104 could be configured to execute a localoperating strategy to reduce rate of discharge of stacks 108(2)-108(4)of battery 102 relative to rate of discharge of stack 108(1) of battery102, to reduce variation in state of charge of among stacks 108.

Example A3 Respond to Variations in Stack Capacity

Energy storage capacity among stacks 108 may vary, such as due todifferences in configuration of stacks 108, differences in ages ofelectrochemical cells among stacks 108, differences in manufacturing ofelectrochemical cells among stacks 108, differences in chemistry ofelectrochemical cells among stacks 108, differences in size ofelectrochemical cells among stacks 108, differences in operation ofelectrochemical cells among stacks 108, differences in maintenance ofelectrochemical cells among stacks 108, differences in operatingenvironment among electrochemical cells of stacks 108, etc. Variationsin energy storage capacity among stacks 108 may cause some stacks 108 tobe more quickly charged or discharged than other stacks 108. Forexample, a stack 108 with a smaller capacity will reach its fullycharged state more quickly than a stack 108 with a larger capacity,assuming equal charging current for both stacks. Therefore, someembodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute a localoperating strategy in response to variations in capacity among stacks108, such as to help ensure that all stacks 108 reach a fully chargedstate, or a fully discharged state, at substantially the same time. Forexample, assume that stack 108(4) of battery 102 has a smaller capacitythan stacks 108(1)-108(3) of battery 102. Controller 104 may beconfigured to execute a local operating strategy to cause stack 108(4)to be discharged at slower rate than stacks 108(1)-108(3), such as bychanging i_(s4) and/or v_(s4) of stack 108(4), to help prevent stack108(4) from reaching its fully discharged state earlier than stacks108(1)-108(3).

Controller 104 may alternately be configured to respond to variations inenergy storage capacity among stacks 108 by executing a local operatingstrategy to change depth of discharge of a stack 108, change maximumstate of charge of a stack 108, and/or change minimum state of charge ofa stack 108. For example, assume again that stack 108(4) of battery 102has a smaller capacity than stacks 108(1)-108(3) of battery 102.Controller 104 may be configured to execute a local operating strategyto reduce a permissible depth of discharge of stack 108(4) relative torespective permissible depths of discharge of stacks 108(1)-108(3), toprevent damage to stack 108(4) due to excessive discharge.

Example A4 Reach Maximum or Minimum State of Charge at a Common Time

Stacks 108 may reach respective maximum states of charge or respectiveminimum states of charge at different times when charged or dischargedat a common rate due to differences in configuration of stacks 108,differences in ages of electrochemical cells among stacks 108,differences in manufacturing of electrochemical cells among stacks 108,differences in chemistry of electrochemical cells among stacks 108,differences in size of electrochemical cells among stacks 108,differences in operation of electrochemical cells among stacks 108,differences in maintenance of electrochemical cells among stacks 108,differences in operating environment among electrochemical cells ofstacks 108, etc. It is often desirable that all stacks 108 reach arespective maximum state of charge at a common time during a chargingcycle, as well as that all stacks 108 reach a respective minimum stateof charge at a common time during a discharging cycle. Accordingly, someembodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute a localoperating strategy to cause each stack 108 to reach a predeterminedminimum state of charge, or a predetermined minimum voltage, at asubstantially common time. For example, assume that stack 108(1) ofbattery 102 is discharging at a faster rate than stacks 108(2)-108(4) ofbattery 102. Controller 104 may be configured to execute a localoperating strategy to reduce a power contribution of stack 108(1) tosource/load 106 relative respective power contributions of stacks108(2)-108(4) to source load/load 106, such that stack 108(1) reachesits minimum state of charge at substantially the same time that stacks108(2)-108(4) reach their respective minimum states of charge.

Additionally, some embodiments of controller 104 are configured toexecute a local operating strategy to cause each stack 108 to reach apredetermined maximum state of charge, or a predetermined maximumvoltage, at a substantially common time. For example, assume that stack108(1) of battery 102 is charging at a faster rate than stacks108(2)-108(4) of battery 102. Controller 104 may be configured toexecute a local operating strategy to decrease magnitude of chargingcurrent to stack 108(1) while leaving magnitude of respective chargingcurrents to stacks 108(2)-108(4) unchanged, such that stack 108(1)reaches its maximum state of charge at substantially the same time thatstacks 108(2)-108(4) reach their respective maximum states of charge.

Example A5 Address Excessive State of Degradation

Certain embodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute a localoperating strategy in response to a state of degradation of one or morestacks 108 crossing a threshold value. In this document, “state ofdegradation” of a stack 108 means electrochemical characteristics ofelectrochemical cells of the stack 108 indicative of overallelectrochemical cell performance and health. In some embodiments, stateof degradation of a stack 108 is at least partially determined based onimpedance of electrochemical cells of the stack 108, amount of activematerial on anodes and/or cathodes of electrochemical cells of the stack108, and/or leakage current of electrochemical cells of the stack 108.As one example of controller 104 executing a local operating strategybased on state of degradation, consider an example scenario wherecontroller 104 is configured to determine a respective state ofdegradation (SOD) value for each stack 108 of battery 102, where thehigher the SOD value of a stack 108, the greater the degradation of thestack 108. Assume that the SOD value for stack 108(1) of battery 102increases and crosses a first threshold value, where the first thresholdvalue represents a maximum state of degradation of a stack 108 that ispermitted under normal operating conditions of the stack 108. Controller104 may execute a local operating strategy in response to the SOD valueof stack 108(1) crossing the first threshold value. In some embodiments,the local operating strategy includes changing i_(s1) of stack 108(1),changing v_(s1) of stack 108(1), limiting maximum magnitude of currenti_(s1), limiting maximum and/or minimum magnitude of voltage v_(s1),limiting depth of discharge of stack 108(1), etc., such as to reversedegradation of stack 108(1), prevent further degradation of stack108(1), and/or prevent an unsafe operating condition due to degradationof stack 108. Additionally, the local operating strategy may be dynamic.For example, the local operating strategy may change as a function oftemperature of stack 108(1).

Example A6 Address State of Safety

Certain embodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute a localoperating strategy in response to a state of safety of one or morestacks 108 crossing a threshold value. In this document, “state ofsafety” of a stack 108 means electrochemical characteristics ofelectrochemical cells of the stack 108 indicative of risk of an unsafefailure of the electrochemical cells. As one example of controller 104executing a local operating strategy based on state of safety, consideran example scenario where controller 104 is configured to determine arespective state of safety (SOS) value for each stack 108 of battery102, where the higher the SOS value of a stack 108, the greater the riskof an unsafe failure of electrochemical cells of the stack 108. Assumethat the SOS value for stack 108(1) of battery 102 increases and crossesa first threshold value, where the first threshold value represents amaximum state of safety of a stack 108 that is permitted under normaloperating conditions of the stack 108. Controller 104 may execute alocal operating strategy in response to the SOS value of stack 108(1)crossing the first threshold value. In some embodiments, the localoperating strategy includes changing i_(s1) and/or v_(s1) of stack108(1), limiting maximum magnitude of current i_(s1), limiting maximumand/or minimum magnitude of voltage v_(s1), limiting depth of dischargeof stack 108(1), etc., such as to prevent a failure of stack 108(1) orto prevent stack 108(1) from failing in an unsafe manner. Additionally,the local operating strategy may be dynamic. For example, the localoperating strategy may change as a function of temperature of stack108(1).

Example A7 Compensate for Excessive Resistance

Particular embodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute alocal operating strategy to help compensate for variations inelectrochemical resistance and/or electrical resistance among stacks108. For example, assume that stack 108(3) of battery 102 has a higherresistance than batteries 108(1), 108(2), and 108(4). Controller 104 mayexecute a local operating strategy to reduce magnitude of current is₃through stack 108(3) relative to magnitude of respective currents is₁,is₂, and is₄ through stacks 108(1), 108(2), and 108(4), such as to helpprevent excessive heating of stack 108(3) and/or help prevent voltagedrop in stack 108(3), due to its high resistance. Alternately,controller 104 may execute a local operating strategy to reducemagnitude of power p_(s3) of stack 108(3) relative to magnitude ofrespective powers p_(s1), p_(s2), and p_(s4) of stacks 108(1), 108(2),and 108(4), thereby indirectly reducing magnitude of current i_(s3)through stack 108(3).

Example A8 Address Loss of Electrochemical Cell Active Material

Some embodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute a localoperating strategy to address loss of active material on anodes orcathodes of electrochemical cells of stacks 108. For example, assumethat electrochemical cells of stack 108(1) of battery 102 experienceloss of active material on their anodes. Controller 104 may execute alocal operating strategy to modify current i_(s1) or voltage v_(s1) ofstack 108(1) to address the loss of active material, such as by reducingcurrent i_(s1), power p_(s1), a permissible range of voltage v_(s1), orpermissible depth of discharge of stack 108(1), to minimize further lossof active material relative to stacks 108(2)-108(4).

Example A9 Help Achieve Equal Stack Lifetimes

Certain embodiments of controller 104 are configured to execute one ormore local operating strategies to help achieve substantially equallifetimes of stacks 108. Stack 108 lifetime may be defined, forinstance, as amount of time a stack 108 may operate before reaching apredetermined capacity fade or before reaching a predetermineddegradation in state of health. Controller 104 may execute a localoperating strategy, for example, to modify current is of a stack 108,maximum magnitude of current is of a stack 108, maximum and/or minimumpermissible magnitude of voltage v_(s) of a stack 108, maximum powerp_(s) of a stack 108, or maximum depth of discharge of a stack 108, tohelp achieve a lifetime of the stack 108 that is substantially equal torespective lifetimes of other stacks 108 of an associated battery.

Simultaneous Execution of Local and Global Operating Strategies

Executing a local operating strategy for a battery may interfere withexecution of a global operating strategy for the battery. For example,assume that controller 104 of battery 102 is executing a globaloperating strategy of supplying a constant power of 40,000 watts tosource/load 106 by causing each stack 108 of battery 102 to provide10,000 watts to source/load 106. Now assume that controller 104 executesa local operating strategy for stack 108(1) by operating the stack at aconstant power of 5,000 watts, instead of at 10,000 watts. Executing thelocal operating strategy would reduce the power output of battery 102from 40,000 watts to 35,000 watts, thereby interfering with the globaloperating strategy of supplying a constant power of 40,000 watts tosource/load 106.

However, controller 104 is advantageously configured to control stacks108 to compensate for changes to stack operating conditions resultingfrom executing a local operating strategy, thereby preventing the localoperating strategy from interfering with the global operating strategy.For example, consider again the example above where controller 104 ofbattery 102 is executing a global operating strategy of supplying aconstant power of 40,000 watts to source/load 106 by causing each stack108 of battery 102 to provide 10,000 watts to source/load 106. Assumeagain that controller 104 executes a local operating strategy for stack108(1) by operating the stack at a constant power of 5,000 watts,instead of at 10,000 watts. Controller 104 is configured to change anoperating point of one or more of stacks 108(2)-108(4) to compensate forthe change in operating point of stack 108(1) caused by executing thelocal operating strategy, i.e., to offset the 5,000 watts reduction inoperating power of stack 108(1) with additional power from one or moreother stacks 108(2)-108(4). For example, controller 104 may cause stack108(2) to increase its output power from 10,000 watts to 15,000 watts,such that battery 102 still provides 40,000 watts to source/load 106. Asanother example, controller 104 cause each of stacks 108(3) and 108(4)to each increase their respective output powers from 10,000 watts to12,500 watts, such that battery still provides 40,000 watts tosource/load 106. Thus, controller 104 enables simultaneous execution ofthe local operating strategy of operating stack 108(1) at a constantpower of 5,000 watts while maintaining the global operating strategy ofproviding 40,000 watts to source/load 106.

Accordingly, controller 104 is configured to simultaneously execute (1)one or more local operating strategies for a battery 102, 902, or 1002and (2) a global operating strategy for the battery. Such ability tosimultaneously execute both types of operating strategies may achievesignificant advantages. For example, a diagnostic test may be performedon one or more of stacks 108, maintenance may be performed on one ormore stacks 108, a corrective action may be performed on one or morestacks 108, a safety action may be performed on one or more stacks 108,and/or an optimization action may be performed on one or more stacks108, without interfering with operation of battery 102, 902, or 1002with respect to source/load 106. Stated differently, voltage v_(bat) andcurrent i_(bat) may be unaffected by execution of the local operatingstrategy, such that execution of the local operating strategy isimperceptible to source/load 106.

Furthermore, some embodiments of controller 104 are configured toexecute a local operating strategy simultaneously with a globaloperating strategy of operating battery 102, 902, or 1002 in a standbymode, where the battery neither provides power to source/load 106 norreceives power from source/load 106. Controller 104 causes battery 102,902, or 1002 to operate in a standby mode, for example, by mechanicallydisconnecting the battery from source/load 106 and/or by controllingpower converters 110 or 1010 such that stacks 108 collectively do notsink or source power from source/load 106. Controller 104 is configuredto control power converters 110 or 1010 under such conditions such thatone stack 108 of a battery 102, 902, or 1002 may serve as a load orpower source for another stack 108 of the same battery. For example,assume that battery 102 is operating in a standby mode, and controller104 executes a local operating strategy with respect to stack 108(1)which requires charging stack 108(1). Source/load 106 does not providepower for charging stacks 108 while battery 102 is operating in thestandby mode. Therefore, controller 104 may be configured to cause oneor more of stacks 108(2)-108(4) to provide the power for charging stack108(1) required by the local operating strategy for stack 108(1). Asanother example, assume that battery 102 is operating in a standby mode,and controller 104 executes a local operating strategy with respect tostack 108(1) which requires discharging stack 108(1). Source/load 106does not receive power from battery 102 while the battery is operatingin the standby mode. Therefore, controller 104 may be configured tocause one or more of stacks 108(2)-108(4) to receive power fromdischarging stack 108(1) while executing the local operating strategyfor stack 108(1).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method 1100 for managing a plurality ofstacks of electrochemical cells, where the stacks are electricallycoupled in parallel in a battery. Method 1100 is executed by someembodiments of controller 104 to simultaneously execute a localoperating strategy and a global operating strategy. In a block 1102 ofmethod 1100, the stacks are operated to execute a global operatingstrategy of the battery. In one example of block 1102, controller 104controls each of power converters 110(1)-110(4) of battery 102 such thatstacks 108(1)-108(4) of battery 102 collectively provide a constantpower of 100,000 watts to source/load 106. In another example, of block1102, controller 104 controls each of power converters 110(1) and 110(2)of battery 1002 such that stacks 108(1)-108(4) of battery 902collectively receive a constant power of 80,000 watts from source/load106.

Blocks 1104 and 1106 of method 1100 are executed concurrently for aduration of a common first time period. In some embodiments, the firsttime period is predetermined, while in some other embodiments, the firsttime period is a function of one or more parameters. For example, incertain embodiments, the first time period corresponds to a timerequired to successfully execute the local operating strategy, such astime required to balance state of charge of stacks 108 or time requiredto achieve a desired difference in state of charge among stacks 108. Inblock 1104, respective operating points of one or more first stacks ofthe plurality of stacks are changed to execute a local operatingstrategy. In one example of block 1104, controller 104 controls powerconverter 110(4) of battery 102 to reduce a power contribution of stack108(4) to source/load 106 by 10,000 watts. In another example of block1104 of method 1100, controller 104 controls power converter 110(1) ofbattery 902 to increase a power collectively received by stacks 108(1)and 108(2) from source/load 106 by 5,000 watts.

In block 1106, respective operating points of one or more second stacksof the plurality of stacks are changed to maintain the global operatingstrategy of the battery while executing the local operating strategy inblock 1104. In one example of block 1106, controller 104 controls powerconverter 110(2) of battery 102 to increase a power contribution ofstack 108(2) by 10,000 watts to compensate for, i.e., to offset, the10,000 watts decrease in the power contribution of stack 108(4) tosource/load 106 resulting from executing the local operating strategyfor battery 102. In another example of block 1106, controller 104controls power converter 110(2) of battery 902 to decrease a collectivepower received by stacks 108(3) and 108(4) from source/load 106 by 5,000watts to compensate for, i.e., to offset, the 5,000 watts increase inpower collectively received by stacks 108(1) and 108(2) from source/load106 resulting from executing the local operating strategy for battery1002.

After expiration of the first time period, (a) method 1100 proceeds fromblock 1104 to a block 1108, and (b) method 1100 proceeds from block 1106to a block 1110. In block 1108, operating points of the one or morefirst stack are changed from the modified operating points of block 1104back to their respective initial operating points, i.e., their operatingpoints in block 1102 before executing block 1104, to continue to pursueto the global operating strategy after completing execution of the localoperating strategy. In one example of block 1108, controller 104controls power converter 110(4) of battery 102 to increase a powercontribution of stack 108(4) to source/load 106 by 10,000 watts, toreverse the change in operation of stack 108(4) made while executing thelocal operating strategy in block 1104. In another example of block 1108of method 1100, controller 104 controls power converter 110(1) ofbattery 902 to decrease a power collectively received by stacks 108(1)and 108(2) from source/load by 5,000 watts, to reverse the change inoperation of stacks 108(1) and 108(2) made while executing the localoperating strategy in block 1104.

In block 1110, operating points of the one or more second stack arechanged from their modified operating points of block 1106 back to theirrespective initial operating points, i.e., their operating points inblock 1102 before executing block 1106. In one example of block 1110,controller 104 controls power converter 110(2) of battery 102 todecrease a power contribution of stack 108(2) by 10,000 watts, toreverse the change in operation of stack 108(2) made while compensatingfor the local operating strategy in block 1106. In another example ofblock 1110, controller 104 controls power converter 110(2) of battery902 to increase a power collectively received by stacks 108(3) and108(4) from source/load 106 by 5,000 watts, to reverse the change inoperation of stacks 108(3) and 108(4) made while compensating for thelocal operating strategy in block 1106.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method 1200 for managing a plurality ofstacks of electrochemical cells, where the stacks are electricallycoupled in parallel in a battery. Method 1200 is an alternate embodimentof method 1100 where stack 108 operating points after execution of alocal operating strategy are different from stack 108 operating pointsbefore execution of the local operating strategy. In a block 1202 ofmethod 1200, the stacks are operated to execute a global operatingstrategy of the battery. In one example of block 1202, controller 104controls each of power converters 110(1)-110(4) of battery 102 such thatrespective states of charge of stacks 108(1)-108(4) are substantiallythe same while discharging the stacks to provide a constant power of40,000 watts to source/load 106.

Blocks 1204 and 1206 of method 1200 are executed concurrently for aduration of a common first time period. The first time period is, forexample, a predetermined time period or a time period that is a functionof one or more parameters. In block 1204, respective operating points ofone or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks are changed toexecute a local operating strategy. In one example of block 1204,controller 104 controls power converter 110(1) of battery 102 to causestack 108(1) to operate in an open circuit mode, such as to perform adiagnostic test on stack 108(1). In block 1206, respective operatingpoints of one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks arechanged to maintain the global operating strategy of the battery whileexecuting the local operating strategy in block 1204. In one example ofblock 1206, controller 104 controls each of power converters110(2)-110(4) of battery 102 to increase a collective power contributionof stacks 108(2)-108(4) to source/load 106 to compensate for stack108(1) operating in the open circuit mode, such that respective statesof charge of stacks 108(2)-108(4) remain substantially the same whilethe stacks discharge to collectively provide 40,000 watts to source/load106.

The local operating strategy is completed after expiration of the firsttime period, and in response, (a) method 1200 proceeds from block 1204to a block 1208, and (b) method 1200 proceeds from block 1206 to a block1210. In block 1208, operating points of the one or more first stacksare changed from the operating points of block 1204 to respectiveoperating points that maintain the global operating strategy aftercompletion of execution of the local operating strategy. In one exampleof block 1208, controller controls power converter 110(1) to cause astate of charge of stack 108(1) to change to a value that issubstantially similar to respective states of charge of stacks108(2)-108(4), while all stacks 108 of battery 102 discharge tocollectively provide 40,000 watts to source/load 106.

In block 1210, operating points of one or more second stacks are changedto maintain the global operating strategy after completion of executionof the local operating strategy. In one example of block 1210,controller 104 controls each of power converters 110(2)-110(4) ofbattery 102 to so that their respective states of charge aresubstantially the same while all stacks 108 of battery 102 discharge tocollectively provide 40,000 watts to source/load 106.

Discussed below with respect to Examples B1-B7 are several examplescenarios where controller 104 executes a local operating strategy and aglobal operating strategy. It is understood, though, that controller 104may be configured to execute additional and/or alternative local andglobal operating strategies, as well as to execute operating strategiesfor reasons different than those discussed below, without departing fromthe scope hereof.

Example B1

FIG. 13 includes five graphs 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, and 1310 of currentmagnitude in amperes (A) versus time in seconds (sec) illustrating anexample operating scenario of an embodiment of energy storage system100. The vertical axes of graphs 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, and 1310 mayrepresent either absolute current magnitude or root-mean-square (RMS)current magnitude, such as depending on whether the correspondingcurrents are DC currents or AC currents. Graphs 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308,and 1310 share a common time base, and graphs 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308,and 1310 include curves representing i_(con1), i_(con2), i_(con3),i_(con4), and i_(bat), respectively. During a time period t_(a1),controller 104 executes a global operating strategy of providing aconstant current of magnitude I_(a) to source/load 106, as illustratedin graph 1310. Additionally, stacks 108(1)-108(4) equally share loadcurrent i_(bat), i.e., each stack 108 provides a current i_(com) via itsrespective power converter 110 that is one fourth of current i_(bat), asillustrated in graphs 1302-1308. Controller 104 does not execute a localoperating strategy during time period t_(a1).

During time period t_(a2), controller 104 executes a local operatingstrategy with respect to stack 108(1) by causing the stack to operate inan open circuit mode, such as to measure open circuit voltage of stack108(1) or to measure leakage current of stack 108(1). Consequently,stack 108(1) does not contribute to load current hat, as shown in graph1302 by current i_(com1) being zero during time period t_(a2). However,controller 104 controls each of stacks 108(2)-8(4) to increase theirrespective current contributions i_(con2), i_(con3), and i_(con4) duringtime period t_(a2) to compensate for stack 108(1) not contributing tocurrent i_(bat), such that current i_(bat) remains equal to I_(a) duringtime period t_(a2), as shown in graphs 1304-1310. Accordingly,controller 104 maintains the global operating strategy of providing aconstant current of magnitude I_(a) to source/load 106 while executingthe local strategy where stack 108(1) operates in an open circuit mode.

During time period tai, controller 104 executes a different localoperating strategy with respect to stack 108(1) by causing the stack tooperate in a constant current mode where current contribution i_(con1)from stack 108(1) has a larger current magnitude than required for stack108(1) to equally share load current i_(bat), such as to help measureimpedance of stack 108(1). Controller 104 simultaneously controls stacks108(2)-108(4) to lower the magnitudes of their respective currentcontributions i_(con2), i_(con3), and i_(con4) such that current hatremains equal to I_(a). As such, controller 104 maintains the globaloperating strategy of providing a constant current of magnitude I_(a) tosource/load 106 while executing the local operating strategy where stack108(1) operates in a constant current mode with a relatively largecurrent contribution i_(con1).

During time period t_(a4), controller 104 executes another localoperating strategy with respect to stack 108(1) by causing the stack toswitch between a positive current state and a zero current state, asshown in graph 1302, such as to perform a galvanostatic intermittenttitration technique (GITT) diagnostic test on stack 108(1). Controller104 simultaneously controls stacks 108(2)-108(4) to change themagnitudes of their respective current contributions i_(con2), i_(con3),and i_(con4) such that current hat remains equal to I_(a). Therefore,controller 104 maintains the global operating strategy of providing aconstant current of magnitude I_(a) to source/load 106 while executingthe local strategy where stack 108(1) switches between currentmagnitudes. Finally, controller 104 does not execute a local operatingstrategy during period time t_(a5), but controller 104 continues toexecute the global operating strategy of providing a constant current ofmagnitude I_(a) to source/load 106.

The curves of the FIG. 13 graphs could alternatively represent powerversus time, instead of current versus time, with appropriate changes tothe scales and units of the vertical axes of the graphs. For example,(1) the curve of graph 1302 could alternately represent power p_(con1)provided by stack 108(1) to source/load 106, (2) the curve of graph 1304could alternately represent power P_(con2) provided by stack 108(2) tosource/load 106, (3) the curve of graph 1306 could alternately representpower P_(con3) provided by stack 108(3) to source/load 106, (4) thecurve of graph 1308 could alternately represent power p_(con4) providedby stack 108(4) to source/load 106, and (5) the curve of graph 1310could alternately represent power p_(bat) provided by battery 102 tosource/load 106.

Example B2

FIG. 14 includes five graphs 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, and 1410 of currentmagnitude in amperes versus time in seconds illustrating another exampleoperating scenario of an embodiment of energy storage system 100. Thevertical axes of graphs 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, and 1410 may representeither absolute current magnitude or RMS current magnitude, such asdepending on whether the corresponding currents are DC currents or ACcurrents. Graphs 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, and 1410 share a common timebase, and graphs 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, and 1410 include curvesrepresenting i_(con1), i_(con2), i_(con3), i_(con4), and i_(bat),respectively. During a time period t_(b1), controller 104 executes aglobal operating strategy of providing a constant current of magnitudeI_(b) to source/load 106, as illustrated in graph 1410. Additionally,stacks 108(1)-108(4) equally share load current I_(bat), as illustratedin graphs 1402-1408 by each stack providing a respective current i_(con)that is one fourth of current i_(bat). Controller 104 does not execute alocal operating strategy during time period t_(b1).

During time period t_(b2), controller 104 executes a local operatingstrategy for stack 108(1) by causing it switch from a discharging modeto a charging mode, as shown in graph 1402 by current i_(con1) beingnegative during time period t_(b2). Controller 104 simultaneously causesstack 108(2) to increase magnitude of its current contribution i_(con2)during time period t_(b2) to offset the change to current contributioni_(con1) during this time period, as shown in graph 1404, so thatcurrent i_(bat) remains at I_(b2) and the global operating strategy ismaintained. Controller 104 continues to execute the global operatingstrategy during time period t_(b3), but controller 104 does not executea local operating strategy during this time period.

During time period t_(b4), controller 104 executes another localoperating strategy for stack 108(1) by causing it switch from a constantcurrent/power mode to a constant voltage mode where voltage v_(s1)across stack 108(1) is constant, such as to help perform a diagnostictest on stack 108(1). As a result, current contribution i_(con1) fromstack 108(1) to current i_(bat) continuously drops during time periodt_(b4), as shown in graph 1402. Controller 104 simultaneously causescurrent I_(con2) contributed by stack 108(2) to increase during timeperiod t_(b4) in a manner that compensates for the decrease in currenti_(con1) of stack 108(1), as shown in graph 1404. Therefore, currenti_(bat) remains at I_(b) during time period t_(b4) and the globaloperating strategy is maintained. Controller 104 continues to executethe global operating strategy during time period t_(b5), but controller104 does not execute a local operating strategy during this time period.

The curves of the FIG. 14 graphs could alternatively represent powerversus time, instead of current versus time, with appropriate changes tothe scales and units of the vertical axes of the graphs. For example,(1) the curve of graph 1402 could alternately represent power p_(con1)provided by stack 108(1) to source/load 106, (2) the curve of graph 1404could alternately represent power p_(con2) provided by stack 108(2) tosource/load 106, (3) the curve of graph 1406 could alternately representpower p_(con3) provided by stack 108(3) to source/load 106, (4) thecurve of graph 1408 could alternately represent power p_(con4) providedby stack 108(4) to source/load 106, and (5) the curve of graph 1410could alternately represent power p_(bat) provided by battery 102 tosource/load 106.

Example B3

FIG. 15 includes five graphs 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, and 1510 of powermagnitude in watts (W) versus time in seconds illustrating anotherexample operating scenario of an embodiment of energy storage system100. Graphs 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, and 1510 share a common time base,and graphs 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, and 1510 includes curves representingp_(con1), p_(con2), p_(con3), p_(con4), and p_(bat), respectively. Asdiscussed above, p_(con1), p_(con2), p_(con3), and P_(con4) representrespective power contributions of stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and108(4) to power p_(bat), and power p_(bat) represents power supplied bybattery 102 to source/load 106.

Controller 104 executes a global operating strategy in the FIG. 15example of providing a constant voltage vbat (not shown in FIG. 15 ) tosource/load 106 during each of time periods t_(c1), t_(c2), and t_(c3).Power consumed by source/load 106 is irregular in this example, asevident by the irregular curve of p_(bat) in graph 1410. Controller 104does not execute a local operating strategy in time periods t_(c1) andt_(c3)and controller 104 controls stacks 108(1)-108(4) so that eachstack contributes one fourth of power p_(bat) supplied by battery 102 tosource/load 106, as illustrated in graphs 1502-1508, in time periodst_(c1) and t_(c3). However, controller 104 executes a local operatingstrategy for stack 108(3) in time period t_(c2) by causing stack 108(3)to operate in an open circuit mode, as evident by stack powercontribution p_(con3) being zero during time period t_(c2).Additionally, controller 104 causes each of stacks 108(1), 108(2), and108(4) to compensate for stack 108(3) operating in the open circuit modein time period t_(c2) by causing stacks 108(1), 108(2), and 108(4) tocollectively provide total power p_(bat) to source/load 106, therebymaintaining the global operating strategy of battery 102 during timeperiod t_(c2).

The curves of the FIG. 15 graphs could alternatively represent currentversus time, instead of power versus time, with appropriate changes tothe scales and units of the vertical axes of the graphs. For example,(1) the curve of graph 1502 could alternately represent current i_(con1)provided by stack 108(1) to source/load 106, (2) the curve of graph 1504could alternately represent current i_(con2) provided by stack 108(2) tosource/load 106, (3) the curve of graph 1506 could alternately representcurrent i_(con3) provided by stack 108(3) to source/load 106, (4) thecurve of graph 1508 could alternately represent current I_(con4)provided by stack 108(4) to source/load 106, and (5) the curve of graph1510 could alternately represent current /bat provided by battery 102 tosource/load 106.

Example B4

FIG. 16 includes five graphs 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, and 1610 of powermagnitude in watts versus time in seconds illustrating another exampleoperating scenario of an embodiment of energy storage system 100. Graphs1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, and 1610 share a common time base, and graphs1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, and 1610 includes curves representing p_(con1),p_(con2), p_(con3), p_(con4), and p_(bat), respectively. Controller 104executes a global operating strategy of operating in a standby modewhere battery 102 neither provides electrical power to source/load 106nor receives electrical power from source load 106, as shown by p_(bat)being zero in graph 1610 across time periods t_(d1) through t_(d5).Additionally, controller 104 does not execute a local operating strategyin any of time periods t_(d1)l, t_(d3), and t_(d5).

Controller 104 executes a local operating strategy for stack 108(1)during time period to by causing the stack to operate in a dischargemode at a constant power level, such as to perform a diagnostic test onstack 108(1), as illustrated in graph 1602. Source/load 106 cannotreceive the power discharged from stack 108(1) due to battery 102operating in a standby mode. However, controller 104 controls each ofstacks 108(2) and 108(3) to operate in a charging mode during timeperiod to such that stacks 108(2) and 108(3) collectively receive allpower discharged from stack 108(1), to maintain the global operatingstrategy of operating battery 102 in a standby mode.

Additionally, controller 104 executes a local operating strategy forstack 108(2) during time period t_(d4) by causing the stack to operatein a charge mode at a constant power level, such as to perform adiagnostic test on stack 108(2), as illustrated in graph 1604.Controller 104 controls each of stacks 108(3) and 108(4) to operate in adischarging mode during time period t_(d4) such that stacks 108(3) and108(4) collectively provide all power absorbed by stack 108(2), tomaintain the global operating strategy of operating battery 102 in astandby mode during time period t_(d4).

Accordingly, stacks 108(2) and 108(3) absorb the power provided by stack108(1) during time period to by receiving this power from stack 108(1),and stacks 108(3) and 108(4) provide the power absorbed by stack 108(2)during time period t_(d4). Consequently, while there is power transferbetween stacks in the FIG. 16 example, there is no power transferbetween battery 102 and/source load 106 in this example. In somealternate embodiments, controller 104 further controls power converters110(1)-110(4) to balance state of charge of stacks 108(1)-108(4) in timeperiod t_(d3) and/or time period t_(d5), such as to offset chargeshifting among stacks 108 that occurs during time periods t_(d2) andt_(d4).

The curves of the FIG. 16 graphs could alternatively represent currentversus time, instead of power time, with appropriate changes to thescales and units of the vertical axes of the graphs. For example, (1)the curve of graph 1602 could alternately represent current i_(con1)provided by stack 108(1) to source/load 106, (2) the curve of graph 1604could alternately represent current i_(con2) provided by stack 108(2) tosource/load 106, (3) the curve of graph 1606 could alternately representcurrent i_(con3) provided by stack 108(3) to source/load 106, (4) thecurve of graph 1608 could alternately represent current i_(con4)provided by stack 108(4) to source/load 106, and (5) the curve of graph1610 could alternately represent current i_(bat) provided by battery 102to source/load 106.

Example B5

FIG. 17 includes five graphs 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708, and 1710illustrating another example operating scenario of an embodiment ofenergy storage system 100. Graphs 1702, 1704, 1706, and 1708 are graphsof state of charge (SOC) verses time for stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3)and 108(4), respectively, and graph 1710 is a graph of voltage (V)verses time for each of stacks 108(1)-108(4). Curves SOC₁, SOC₂, SOC₃,and SOC₄ represent state of charge of stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and108(4), respectively. Voltage v_(s2), v_(s3), and vs_(s4) across stacks108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), respectively, are substantially the same inthe FIG. 17 example, and these voltages are therefore represented by acommon curve 1712 in graph 1710. Voltage v_(s1) across stack 108(1) isrepresented by a dedicated curve 1714 in FIG. 17 .

Controller 104 executes a global operating strategy of maintaining anoverall state of charge of battery 102 at a constant level during eachof time periods t_(e1), t_(e2), t_(e3), and t_(e4). Controller 104 doesnot execute a local operating strategy during time period t_(e1) orduring time period t_(e4). During time period t_(e2), controller 104executes a local operating strategy of causing state of charge of stack108(1) to move to a lower value than respective states of charge ofstacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), such as to perform a diagnostic teston stack 108(1), to perform maintenance on stack 108(1), or to performstate of charge recalibration of stack 108(1). For example, in anembodiment where stack 108(1) includes LFP electrochemical cells, it maybe desirable to decrease state of charge of stack 108(1) whileperforming a diagnostic test on the stack so that the stack is notoperating in a “flat region,” where voltage v_(s1) across the stack isinsensitive to changes in stack state of charge. Controller 104 causeseach of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) to move toward a higher stateof charge during time period t_(e2) to compensate for stack 108(1)moving toward the lower state of charge, such that overall state ofcharge of battery 102 remains constant and the global operating strategyis thereby maintained. Voltage v_(s4) across stack 108(1) significantlydecreases during time period t_(e2), while each of respective voltagesv_(s2), v_(s3), and v_(s4) across stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) justslightly increases during time period t_(e2), as illustrated in graph1710.

Controller 104 causes state of charge of stack 108(1) to return to itssteady state value in time period t_(e3) such that the state of chargeof stack 108(1) is substantially equal to respective states of charge ofstacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) at the end of time period t_(e3).Controller 104 also causes each of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) toprovide energy to stack 108(1) to raise its state of charge to a valuethat is substantially similar to respective states of charge of stacks108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), causing states of charge of stacks 108(2),108(3), and 108(4) to decrease.

Example B6

FIG. 18 includes four graphs 1802, 1804, 1806, and 1808 illustratinganother example operating scenario of an embodiment of energy storagesystem 100. Graphs 1802, 1804, 1806, and 1808 are graphs of state ofcharge verses time for stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3) and 108(4),respectively. Curves SOC₁, SOC₂, SOC₃, and SOC₄ represent state ofcharge of stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), respectively. Asdiscussed below, controller 104 executes a local operating strategy ineach of time periods t_(f2) and t_(f3). FIG. 18 further includes curves1810, 1812, 1814, and 1816 illustrating what would be states of chargeof stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), respectively, ifcontroller 104 did not execute the local operating strategies in timeperiods t_(f2) and t_(f3).

The graphs of FIG. 18 depict an example discharge cycle of battery 102where controller 104 executes a global operating strategy of maintaininga constant voltage v_(bat) (not shown in FIG. 18 ) during the dischargecycle. Source/load 106 presents a varying load in this example such thatstacks 108 discharge in an irregular manner, as illustrated in FIG. 18 .Controller 104 does not execute a local operating strategy during timeperiod t_(f1) or during time period t_(f4). During time period t_(f2),controller 104 executes a local operating strategy of causing state ofcharge of stack 108(1) to move to a higher value than respective statesof charge of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), such as to perform adiagnostic test on stack 108(1), to perform maintenance on stack 108(1),or to perform state of charge recalibration of stack 108(1). Controller104 causes each of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) to provide theenergy required by stack 108(1) during time period t_(f2), such thatV_(bat) remains constant during time period t_(f2) and the globaloperating strategy is thereby maintained.

Controller 104 causes state of charge of stack 108(1) to return to itssteady state value in time period t_(f3) such that the state of chargeof stack 108(1) is substantially equal to respective states of charge ofstacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) at the end of time period t_(f3).Controller 104 also decreases rate of discharge of stacks 108(2),108(3), and 108(4) to compensate for increased rate of discharge ofstack 108(1), such that V_(bat) remains constant and the globaloperating strategy is thereby maintained.

Example B7

FIG. 19 includes four graphs 1902, 1904, 1906, and 1908 illustrating yetanother example operating scenario of an embodiment of energy storagesystem 100. Graphs 1902, 1904, 1906, and 1908 are graphs of state ofcharge verses time for stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3) and 108(4),respectively. Curves SOC₁, SOC₂, SOC₃, and SOC₄ represent state ofcharge of stacks 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4), respectively. Thegraphs of FIG. 19 depict an example discharge cycle of battery 102 wherecontroller 104 executes a global operating strategy of maintaining aconstant overall discharge rate of δ_(soc)/t_(g1) (see graph 1902) ofbattery 102 during the discharge cycle. Controller 104 does not executea local operating strategy during time period t_(g1) or during timeperiod t_(g5).

Stack 108(1) has critical state of charge range SOC_(cr) (see graph1902) that it is desirable to traverse at a lower rate discharge thanδ_(soc)/t_(g1), such as to prolong the life of stack 108(1). Therefore,controller 104 is configured to execute local operating strategies tocause stack 108 to traverse state of charge range SOC_(cr) at arelatively slow rate. Specifically, controller 104 executes a localoperating strategy for stack 108(1) during time period t_(g2) byincreasing rate of discharge of stack 108(1) so that SOC₁ reaches thetop boundary of state of charge range SOC_(cr). Controller 104 alsodecreases rate of discharge of each of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4)during time period t_(g2) so that the overall discharge rate of battery102 remains at δ_(soc)/t_(g1) , thereby maintaining the global operatingstrategy.

Controller 104 executes a different local operating strategy for stack108(1) in time period t_(g3) by causing stack 108(1) to discharge at aslow rate so that stack 108(1) traverses state of charge range SOC_(cr)t a relatively slow rate. Controller 104 also adjusts discharge rates ofstacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) during time period t_(g2) so that theoverall discharge rate of battery 102 remains at δ_(soc)/t_(g1), therebymaintaining the global operating strategy. It should be noted thatdischarge rates of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) during time periodt_(g2) are negative, i.e., the stacks are receiving power instead ofproviding power, due to the sharp increase in discharge rate of stack108(1) during time period t_(g2). In alternate embodiments wheredischarge rate of stack 108(1) during time period t_(g2) is less sharp,discharge rates of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) during time periodt_(g2) may decrease relative to time period t_(g1) while remainingpositive.

Stack 108(1) completes traversing state of charge range SOC_(cr) at theend of time period t_(g3). Consequently, controller 104 executes anotherlocal operating strategy in time period t_(g4) by causing stack 108(1)to operate in an idle state and wait for stacks 108(2), 108(3), and108(4) to reach the same state of charge as stack 108(1). Controller 104also increases rate of discharge of stacks 108(2), 108(3), and 108(4) sothat overall discharge rate of battery 102 remains at δ_(soc)/t_(g1)during time period t_(g4), thereby maintaining the global operatingstrategy. All stacks 108(1)-108(4) have substantially the same state ofcharge at the beginning to time period _(g5), and controller 104accordingly continues to execute the global operating strategy ofdischarging battery 102 at discharge rate δ_(soc)/t_(g1) withoutexecuting a local operating strategy. FIG. 20 is a graph 2000illustrating an overall state of charge SOC_(T) of battery 102 duringtime periods t_(g1)-t_(g5) of the FIG. 19 example. As evident from FIG.20 , overall discharge rate of battery 102 remains constant during timeperiods t_(g1)-t_(g5), despite variations in state of charge amongstacks 108 during time periods t_(g2), t_(g3), and t_(g4).

The example operating scenario of FIG. 19 could be modified to execute arespective local operating strategy for each of stacks 108(1)-108(4) ata different respective time during the discharge cycle, such as toenable each of the stacks to traverse a respective critical state ofcharge range at a relatively slow rate in a manner analogous thatdiscussed above with respect to stack 108(1).

Changes may be made in the above systems and methods without departingfrom the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter containedin the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shouldbe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thefollowing claims are intended to cover generic and specific featuresdescribed herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the presentmethod and system, which as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells, the plurality of stacks being electricallycoupled in parallel in a battery, the method comprising: operating theplurality of stacks to execute a global operating strategy of thebattery; changing respective operating points of one or more firststacks of the plurality of stacks to execute a local operating strategy;changing respective operating points of one or more second stacks of theplurality of stacks to maintain the global operating strategy of thebattery while executing the local operating strategy; and aftercompleting execution of the local operating strategy, further changingthe respective operating points of the one or more first stacks tocompensate for change in the state of charge of the one or more firststacks caused by executing the local operating strategy.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the global operating strategy comprises at least oneof (a) providing substantially constant power to a load, (b) providingsubstantially constant current to a load, and (c) providingsubstantially constant voltage to a load.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the global operating strategy comprises operating the battery ina standby mode.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the global operatingstrategy comprises receiving at least one of (a) a substantiallyconstant power from an electric power source for charging theelectrochemical cells of the plurality of stacks, (b) a substantiallyconstant voltage from an electric power source for charging theelectrochemical cells of the plurality of stacks, and (c) asubstantially constant current from an electric power source forcharging the electrochemical cells of the plurality of stacks.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising executing the local operatingstrategy as part of a diagnostic test for one or more of the pluralityof stacks.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the local operatingstrategy comprises operating the one or more first stacks in at leastone of (a) a constant power mode, (b) a constant current mode, (c) aconstant voltage mode, and (d) an open circuit mode.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the local operating strategy comprises operating theone or more first stacks at a different power level, or at a differentcurrent level, than the one or more second stacks.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the local operating strategy comprises repeatedlychanging respective operating points of the one or more first stacks. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the local operating strategy comprisescausing the one or more first stacks to move toward a different state ofcharge than the one or more second stacks.
 10. A method for managing aplurality of stacks of electrochemical cells, the plurality of stacksbeing electrically coupled in parallel in a battery, the methodcomprising: operating the plurality of stacks to execute a globaloperating strategy of the battery, the global operating strategyincluding a plurality of components; changing respective operatingpoints of one or more first stacks of the plurality of stacks to executea local operating strategy; and changing respective operating points ofone or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks to maintain theglobal operating strategy of the battery while executing the localoperating strategy.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality ofcomponents of the global operating strategy comprise: a first componentselected from the group consisting of (a) providing constant power fromthe battery to a load, (b) providing constant current from the batteryto a load, (c) providing constant voltage from the battery to a load,(d) receiving constant power at the battery from an electric powersource, (e) receiving constant voltage at the battery from an electricpower source, (f) receiving constant current at the battery from anelectric power source, (g) operating the battery in a standby mode wherethe battery neither provides power to a load nor receives power from anelectric power source, (h) stabilizing voltage of an alternating current(AC) electric power grid, and (i) stabilizing frequency of an ACelectric power grid; and a second component selected from the groupconsisting of (a) maintaining a constant overall rate of charge of thebattery, (b) maintaining a constant overall rate of discharge of thebattery, (c) maintaining the plurality of stacks at a common state ofcharge as the stacks charge, and (d) maintaining the plurality of stacksat a common state of charge as the stacks discharge.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising executing the local operating strategy tocause each stack of the plurality of stacks to reach a predeterminedminimum state of charge, or a predetermined minimum voltage, at asubstantially common time.
 13. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising executing the local operating strategy to cause each stack ofthe plurality of stacks to reach a predetermined maximum state ofcharge, or a predetermined maximum voltage, at a substantially commontime.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising executing the localoperating strategy as part of a diagnostic test for one or more of theplurality of stacks.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the localoperating strategy comprises operating the one or more first stacks at adifferent power level, or at a different current level, than the one ormore second stacks.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the localoperating strategy comprises repeatedly changing respective operatingpoints of the one or more first stacks.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the local operating strategy comprises causing the one or morefirst stacks to move toward a different state of charge than the one ormore second stacks.
 18. A method for managing a plurality of stacks ofelectrochemical cells, the plurality of stacks being electricallycoupled in parallel in a battery, the method comprising: operating theplurality of stacks to execute a global operating strategy of thebattery; changing respective operating points of one or more firststacks of the plurality of stacks to execute a local operating strategywith respect to one or more second stacks of the plurality of stacks;and changing respective operating points of one or more third stacks ofthe plurality of stacks to maintain the global operating strategy of thebattery while executing the local operating strategy.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising executing the local operating strategy tocause each stack of the plurality of stacks to reach a predeterminedminimum state of charge, or a predetermined minimum voltage, at asubstantially common time.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising executing the local operating strategy to cause each stack ofthe plurality of stacks to reach a predetermined maximum state ofcharge, or a predetermined maximum voltage, at a substantially commontime.